Simina 19, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; // phone:+381 11 30 32 125; fax:+381 11 263 43 48;
      

Education for educators „Psychosocial support for migrants“


02/04/2019

The Red Cross of Serbia representative Natasa Todorovic participated in the education seminar for educators on the topic “Psychosocial support for migrant community” organised by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and The Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support in partnership with Turkish Red Crescent. The event was organised in Ankara, Turkey between 26 February and 1 March 2019 and participants were representatives of National Societies on the migration route working in psychosocial support programmes for migrants.

The seminar took four day, containing lectures, interactive workshops and group work. The participants learned about the stress and challenges faced by migrating population as well as the problems related to building resilience and ensuring wellbeing. At the same time, the participants were able to share their own experiences and examples from their work with migrants. During the training special importance was put on psychological first aid and its significance for migrants, with the conclusion being that it needs to be part of the staff training. One of the Red Cross of Serbia plans is to take the next two years to develop Psychological First Aid training curriculum for all staff, which will increase the capacity of and improve the knowledge within the National Society.

Special attention at the training was paid to stress management and help to helpers, underlining that National Societies need to pay attention about the wellbeing of staff and volunteers. While they work with vulnerable people, the staff and volunteers need support in preserving their physical and mental health. On the fourth day of the training a visit to the Ankara Migrant Centre was organised so that participants could familiarise themselves with all the services Turkish Red Crescent provides to the migrants, with special emphasis on the activities for children and women.