UN Launches Mental Health Learning Platform in Turkmenistan
UNDP Launches Online Learning Platform for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Turkmenistan
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan has announced the creation of a specialized online learning platform for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), featuring a self-paced online learning option. This platform was developed and launched as part of a project titled “Strengthening national capacities for community-based psychosocial support for vulnerable young people and women as preventive measures,” in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Turkmenistan (MLSP) and funded by the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention.
The online course is designed to assist frontline service providers, including social workers, educators, law enforcement officers, representatives of civil society organizations, and women and youth leaders, in offering psychosocial support to youth and women. Training of Trainers (ToT) materials for MHPSS are available for download on the homepage in three languages (English, Turkmen, and Russian), and participants can also opt for a self-paced online course option. Upon successful completion of all course stages, participants can obtain their certificates.
Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, emphasized the organization’s dedication to prioritizing mental health and psychosocial support within the global preventive policy agenda, aiming to empower youth and enhance their resilience against global challenges. The MHPSS training program is expected to be beneficial for representatives of helping professions, enabling them to improve their capacity to deliver vital mental health and psychosocial support services to youth and the most vulnerable.
The MHPSS ToT materials, which include Guidance, Manual, and Participants’ Book, were developed by Dr. Vitalii Klymchuk, UNDP expert/Mental health specialist, and tested during an in-person ToT session at the UN House in Ashgabat from November 6th to 10th, 2023. These training materials, including presentations and tests, were converted into a digital learning format and can be utilized in MHPSS-focused programs and community projects aimed at enhancing individual mental health and well-being, particularly for vulnerable youth and women.
The launch of this specialized online learning platform represents a significant step in enhancing mental health and psychosocial support services in Turkmenistan and empowering frontline service providers with the necessary skills to address the needs of vulnerable populations.
