WHO and the International Medical Corps recently conducted a 3-day full-scale simulation exercise in Kyiv, Ukraine, to build capacity for an interagency, multisectoral mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) response.
The immersive training marked the first of its kind in Ukraine, offering participants an opportunity to practise response procedures and establish coordination and decision-making processes within realistic scenarios. Working in groups, they learned how to respond to mental health needs during emergencies such as military conflicts, nuclear power plant accidents or disease outbreaks.
The training incorporated professional actors and was structured to facilitate maximum immersion in the scenario using recorded videos, social media, coordination meetings, media events, and site visits for assessments and interventions.
Over 60 participants representing all major stakeholders for MHPSS in Ukraine – including government agencies, Ukrainian and international organizations, and project partners of the MHPSS Technical Working Group (MHPSS TWG) – attended the training.
In an emergency, a well coordinated and effective multisectoral and interagency MHPSS response is essential. This is why the MHPSS TWG regularly conducts training events to familiarize partners with international standards of response in the field of MHPSS.
The MHPSS TWG, co-chaired by WHO and the International Medical Corps, works in collaboration with the Coordination Centre for Mental Health and ministries. This allows for the exchange of knowledge and good practices based on both international and local experiences.
Dr Fahmy Hanna, one of WHO’s global experts and Co-Chair of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on MHPSS in Emergency Settings, facilitated the recent simulation exercise. He explained, “The format of the training, which included the analysis of practical cases in a realistic scenario, contributes to better consolidation of knowledge and skills. Response capacity-building requires further training activities, and innovative approaches and methods play an important role here.”
Mr Guillaume Simonian, Emergency and Programmes Lead at the WHO Country Office in Ukraine, added, “Practising response procedures during simulations of various emergencies allows us to go deeper into this process. It provides a very good opportunity to both test your knowledge and better understand how it should be applied in practice.”