From 18th to 22nd November 2024, Taskeen Health Initiative conducted a 5-day (40-hour) training session for Community Wellbeing Mentors (CWMs) at the Reserve Hotel in Karachi as part of the PEACE Program for refugees and host communities in collaboration with GIZ.
The training brought together 21 CWMs from both Afghan refugee and host communities, representing Urban Cohesion Hubs (UCHs) in Karachi, Quetta, Chaman, and Peshawar. Participants included 4 CWMs from Karachi (M:2, F:2), 6 from Quetta (M:3, F:3), 4 from Chaman (M:4), and 7 from Peshawar (M:3, F:4).
The training aimed to equip CWMs with the skills needed to provide mental health awareness, conduct screenings, offer lay counseling, and facilitate referrals for clinical care. Five psychologists from the program also participated, representing the second tier of care from each hub.
Key representatives from GIZ and Taskeen’s implementation partners attended the training, including Sarah Ahmed (GIZ Technical Advisor, Karachi), Khursheed Ahmed (GIZ Technical Advisor, Peshawar), and community outreach staff from the UCH’s implementation partners Sabawon, Inspire Pakistan, and WESS.
The sessions were led by Taskeen’s Community Department team marking a significant step toward enhancing community-based mental health support.