From September 16 to 20, 2024, a Training of Trainers (ToT) on the topic of "Psychosocial Support in the Community" was held at Dajti National Park in Albania. The training was intended for National Red Cross Societies from the Western Balkans and aimed to strengthen capacities in providing psychosocial support and psychological first aid, as well as improving mental health in the community.

Mental health issues are a leading cause of suffering and disability in the European region. Specific mental health challenges can vary in nature and affect all ages and social groups. This training was specifically designed to recognize the needs and capacities of vulnerable groups and include them in the community by building resilience in crisis response.

The trainers were Joshua Sung Young Lee, Technical Advisor at the IFRC Psychosocial Support Reference Centre (IFRC PS Centre), Milutin Vračević and Nataša Todorović from the Red Cross of Serbia, Sanja Pupačić, Delegate for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) at the IFRC Sarajevo Cluster Delegation, Nikolina Stanković from the Croatian Red Cross, and Bianca Suta from the Romanian Red Cross.

The training followed a blended learning approach, where participants, in addition to interactive sessions during the five-day training, were required to prepare their own sessions under the supervision of the trainers. They received feedback from both their peers and the trainers.

Additionally, the training further developed the module on "Psychological First Aid for Older Adults."