“Psycho-social support and first psychological support during crisis and emergency situations”

The Center for Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support of the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia in cooperation with the Chamber of Psychologists of RNM, in the period from 22 to 24.12.2023, held training on the topic of psycho-social support and psychological first aid, with support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

22 participants from the National Psychosocial Support Team and the Red Cross of the City of Skopje, RCB Kichevo, RCB Kavadarci, RCB Gostivar, RCB Ohrid and RCB  Struga attended the training.

The purpose of the training was to enhance the capacities of the national team for psycho-social support. The training was participatory and practical and covered the following key topics: Crisis events and emergency situations / Psycho-social support, Stress and coping with stress, Psycho-social support in the community, Principles of PSS and Hobfall, Psycho-social support for children, First Psychological Support, etc.

Special emphasis was placed on the topic “Support for volunteers and staff / self-care and mutual support”.

The participants had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge on psycho-social support and psychological first aid in crisis and emergency situations. This activity strengthened the capacities of the participants who will implement activities for psychological first aid and psycho-social support. The participants that were trained for psycho-social response in crises are part of the crisis management and response component of the Center for Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support.