Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA) successfully conducted a refresher training on Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) under the Action for Justice Project in Kathmandu on Sunday. The training brought together 20 participants from Budanilkantha Municipality and Tarkeshwor Municipality.
The training was facilitated by Dr. Subhash Chandra Sharma and Dr. Rajesh Kumar Jha from CMCS, who had previously conducted a three-day PFA training for the same participants a year ago.
The program began with a pre-test questionnaire aimed at assessing participants’ understanding and helping trainers design the day’s sessions accordingly. Trainers then provided a refresher on the concept of psychosocial first aid and explained how it differs from psychosocial counselling.
During the sessions, participants shared their experiences of applying psychosocial first aid while visiting households in their respective working areas. The trainers emphasized the importance of PFA in preventing severe physical and psychosocial problems and highlighted its role in supporting individuals during emotional distress and crisis situations.
The sessions also covered the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance; helping participants better understand emotional responses experienced by individuals facing difficult situations.
The training was conducted through interactive question-and-answer sessions and group discussions. Trainers closely engaged with participants, addressed their queries, and encouraged discussions on the challenges faced while conducting PFA sessions in communities. Participants also reflected on the importance of self-care for community workers providing psychosocial support.
Speaking during the training, participant Devina Karki stressed the need for broader awareness and institutional support for mental health issues. “These types of trainings are important to leaders and decision-makers as well. Training community workers alone doesn’t make much difference if the people at the top don’t regard mental health as an important issue,” she said.
NDWA has been actively working to strengthen community-based psychosocial support mechanisms through trainings and awareness programs under the Action for Justice Project.