Plan International enhances mental health support skills in Yobe
Plan International enhances mental health support skills in Yobe
A humanitarian organisation, Plan International, has commenced a six-day workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for trainers in Yobe.
The training is being handled in collaboration with the Zurich Foundation.
Mr Nasiru Mustapha, the Project Coordinator for the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, who represented Plan International, said the training aimed at equipping trainers with knowledge and skills to support disaster victims.
“We are here to train the about 45 trainers on MHPSS aimed at protecting or promoting well-being, preventing mental health disorders, and treating them when they occur,” he said.
Mustapha said the training is in response to the devastating floods that affected Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states last year.
“The foundation saw the destruction and suffering caused by the floods and decided to fund this initiative to provide MHPSS for the victims.”
According to him, the training is a proactive measure ahead of the upcoming rainy season to better prepare communities for potential disasters.
He urged participants to pay full attention and equip themselves with the necessary skills, emphasising that they are expected to be a safety net for vulnerable individuals.
“No matter how much financial aid or material support victims receive, psychological trauma cannot be easily erased.
“This is why extensive psychosocial support is needed for full recovery,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Muhammed Goje, the Executive Secretary Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), described the training as being inline with the state government agenda.
“In times of emergencies or disasters, it is not just about distributing relief materials but also ensuring the mental well-being of victims.
“Without stable mental health, material support alone will not yield the desired results,” Goje said.
He expressed gratitude to Plan International and the Zurich Foundation for their intervention, pledging continued collaboration for the well-being of the state’s residents.
Some flood survivors shared their experiences and struggles in the aftermath of last year’s disaster.
Hajiya Zara Modu from Malammatari quarters, Damaturu, recounted how the flood destroyed their home, leaving them traumatised, especially as the head of the household was absent at the time.
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Malam Ibrahim Mai’azurfa of Nayinawa-Sabon Kwalta, lamented that the area had suffered recurrent flooding for decades due to blocked drainage channels and culverts, leaving many residents displaced.
Malam Saleh Yahaya from Abbari, Damaturu, recalled that the flood occurred at night, causing panic, particularly among women and children.
He noted that homes, shops, and farmlands were destroyed, and about 70 per cent of the victims were yet to fully recover from the disaster.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the training is expected to enhance the capacity of community trainers to provide effective psychosocial support in future disaster situations.
