In 2023, a comprehensive Psychosocial Support (PSS) training program was delivered remotely for Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HIHFAD). The initiative aimed to promote staff well-being, build resilience, and strengthen mental health capacity across all organizational levels. Designed in response to the emotional toll of prolonged humanitarian work, the program emphasized a supportive and trauma-informed workplace culture.

The training included multiple interconnected components. First, awareness sessions reached 160 staff members and focused on key topics such as stress management, emotional regulation, burnout prevention, and mental health in crisis contexts. These sessions helped normalize help-seeking, reduce stigma, and equip staff with foundational self-care strategies.

To engage leadership directly, a 3-day orientation was held for senior managers. This training emphasized psychological first response, early recognition of staff distress, and the importance of modeling supportive leadership practices—laying the foundation for sustainable organizational wellness from the top down.

A key feature of the program was the Psychological Wellbeing Ambassadors Training. Twelve staff were selected to serve as internal mental health focal points. Over ten days, they received specialized training in peer support, resilience building, and stress response, followed by a Training of Trainers (ToT) module. This enabled them to initiate future wellness activities and promote a healthy internal culture.

For those needing more personalized care, thirty confidential counseling sessions were offered to staff members. These sessions were self-referred, strictly confidential, and conducted by licensed mental health professionals, ensuring access to clinical care when needed.

The entire program was delivered online through Zoom and the Budair Access platform. A blended approach—combining interactive workshops, breakout group discussions, self-paced modules, and guided practice—ensured high levels of engagement and meaningful outcomes, even in a remote format.

This initiative marked a significant step toward embedding long-term mental health awareness, peer support, and leadership-driven care within HIHFAD’s humanitarian mission.