MENTAL HEALTH, PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT and WELLBEING in CONFLICT AFFECTED AREAS
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This course examines the impact of mental health and psychosocial issues on individuals and communities in conflict settings.
Addressing key concepts such as stress, trauma, and PTSD, the module equips participants
with culturally sensitive frameworks to support affected populations and manage the mental health challenges
encountered by humanitarian workers themselves.
Participants gain insights into resilience strategies, trauma-informed care, and stress-focused interventions within complex environments.
The course runs from January to March each year.
It is developed over 8 weeks for non-credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits.
This includes 2 reading weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for credits 3 weeks for finalising assessments.
Most of the course is asynchronous except for a one hour per week webinar. It is designed to be accessible for learners working full time.
Designed and delivered jointly by the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) of Oxford Brookes University and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding courses give you an unique access to resources, experts and support
from both institutions.
For those following the credit-rated route, credit from this module can be counted towards
the the PGCert/MA Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding after completion.
Course content
Course content
The Mental Health, Psychosocial Support, and Wellbeing course covers four core themes essential to understanding and addressing psychological and psychosocial issues in conflict-affected areas:
Landscape of Psychological Problems in Conflict Settings: Examines the burden of stress and psychosocial challenges in communities, and the long-term effects of adversity.
From Stress and Distress to Trauma: Explores the progression from stress to trauma, focusing on reactions to triggers, PTSD, and trauma-informed interventions.
Pathways to Wellbeing: Covers core components for wellbeing, including culturally sensitive responses, communication skills, and resilience building (covered over two weeks).
Advanced Self-Care Strategies and Interventions: Provides techniques for personal resilience, self-care, and managing organizational responsibilities related to wellbeing (covered over two weeks).
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
This course encourages application-oriented learning, enhancing mental health support, resilience, and management skills
for humanitarian professionals working in complex, conflict-affected areas.
Engage in critical debates on mental health impacts in humanitarian and peacebuilding processes.
Critically evaluate research on mental health challenges in conflict settings, focusing on both affected communities and field practitioners.
Assess the practitioner’s role in reducing stress-related burdens and fostering psychosocial support.
Use digital tools effectively for research and apply insights to practical contexts.
Develop recommendations to enhance stress-related interventions and resilience strategies. This course encourages application-oriented learning, enhancing leadership, and management skills for humanitarian professionals.
Why is this course unique?
Why is this course unique?
Expert Instruction: Led by practitioners, experts and experienced field professionals, the course provides a comprehensive view of IHL principles and their application in conflict settings.
Flexible Learning: Designed for professionals with work commitments, this mostly asynchronous course includes limited, flexible synchronous sessions, coordinated through participant polling to suit varying schedules.
Credit and Non-Credit Options: Can be taken for credit towards the MA in Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding or as a standalone course. Credit-bearing participation includes assessments and a transcript, while the non-credit route provides a certificate of attendance.
This module is led by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in cooperation with the Queen’s Award-winning Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) at Oxford Brookes University.
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
This course is for practitioners already working in the humanitarian, conflict transformation
and peacebuilding fields and in related areas (diplomacy, journalism…) who wish to continue their professional development,
and practitioners working in other fields interested in exploring opportunities in these areas.
Testimonials
Testimonials
Julia Heemstra, AMANZI
'This module irreversibly opened my eyes to the critical need for mental health and
well-being support in both conflict-affected areas and amongst humanitarian workers.
This, in turn, motivated my commitment to embed mental well-being programming into training programs within my organisation and to seek out uniquely tailored support for the humanitarian worker.
These commitments feel essential - both to enhance our organisation's impact in the field and to ensure longevity for my staff and myself.'
Course fees
Course fees
For Credit: £1,145
Non-credit: £600
Application deadlines:
Credit rated: January 10th 2025
Non-credit rated (certificate of attendance): January 20th 2025
Cancellation policy
In case the course is cancelled, all registered participants will receive a 100% refund.
In case you need to cancel your booking, the following will apply:
Credit rated: A 50% refund will be issued if the cancellation is made up to and on 10 January. No refund will be provided in case of cancellations made after 10 January.
Non-credit rated: A 50% refund will be issued if the cancellation is made up to and on 20 January. No refund will be provided in case of cancellations made after 20 January.
Contact us
Contact us
If you have any enquiries about the course, please email us at: bpiquard@brookes.ac.uk
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