UNFPA organized Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Peer Support Network (PSN) Sharing Session to discuss lessons learned and good practices from PSN members from various field locations in Myanmar. During the session, the PSN curriculum was introduced and self-care sessions for PSN members was also facilitated. .
At the session, more than 30 participants from different states and regions (Kachin, Northern & Southern Shan, Kayin, Kayah, and Rakhine) actively participated and contributed their technical knowledge and experiences through group discussions as well as panel discussion on good practices of PSN meetings during 2021-2022. They also provided suggestions on how to structure PSN meetings in 2023 so that PSN meetings will better support the members for their capacity development needs.
COVID-19 pandemic and political crisis have significantly impacted the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of the people in the community of Myanmar. The current situation has heightened the need for mental health and psychosocial support for the affected population, especially women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. PSN meetings have become an excellent platform for UNFPA to gradually build the capacity of implementing partners, especially to deal with challenging cases related to GBV and MHPSS. UNFPA received positive feedback during the past 5 years, and now there are more than 200 active PSN members across the country.
Under the Women and Girls First Programme funded by European Union, Australia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, and Switzerland, UNFPA works with partner organizations in Myanmar to strengthen the integration of MHPSS in their programming and humanitarian interventions.
