Prior to the official Project Closing Ceremony, a working meeting of the Mental Health & Resilience Master Trainers and National Focal Points was held in Skopje. The goal of the meeting was for the participants to exchange experience on the implementation of the training program in their countries and to discuss and propose follow up actions for continuation and sustainability from the project results. All participants confirmed that the project came in a right time, expressed their gratitude to the SEEHN Secretariat and Project HOPE for providing such important training program to promote mental health of the healthcare workers. The meeting closed with joint conclusion and strong commitment to continue the training program by building up on the created capacities within the countries: (i) Master trainer enrolled with the program; (ii) adjusted and translated training materials; (iii) created pool of trained trainers who will cascade the training at their working place and/or their community.
A Video that reflects the impressions and views of the Mental Health & Resilience Master Trainers and training participants was produced within the project.
nnnn
Watch and listen to the experience from the project activities
SEEHN Secretariat extends its most sincere gratitude and appreciation to all colleagues and institutions who have contributed to the successful project implementation.
nnnn
During the Project Closing Ceremony, Dr Dasic, Head of SEEHN Secretariat presented Certificates of appreciation to the:
nnnn
Minister of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Dr Bekim Sali
Mental Health&Resilience Master Trainers
National Focal Points
Ministries of Health from the respective project participants
Partners and supporters (Project HOPE, CDP, NYC Health+ Hospitals)
Training participants who contributed to the produced video
Within the mental health project “Mental Health and Resilience Training for healthcare workers responding to COVID-19 in SEE Region”, funded by Project HOPE and implemented by SEEHN Secretariat, throughout December 2021, in total nine training of trainers’ sessions enrolling more than 260 healthcare workers from BIH, MDA, MKD, MNE, SRB and KOS* were successfully conducted.
nnnn
Training sessions will continue in January, February and March 2022. Project targets to implement maximum 24 training of trainer’s sessions in SEE region enrolling maximum 720 HCWs (trainers), who will cascade the training at their working place and community and be those to empower others in their daily challenges and contributing to well-being.
The SEEHN Secretariat is implementing a mental health project “Mental Health and Resilience Training for healthcare workers responding to COVID-19 in SEE Region”. funded by Project HOPE insix of SEEHN Member States (ALB, BiH, MKD, MNE, SRB, MDA) plus Kosovo*. The TOT sessions will focus on building knowledge and skills on core resilience drivers and capacities. The target group of the project is estimated to reach more than 720 healthcare workers.
nnnn
The training of trainers’ sessions started on 15 December in North Macedonia followed by Serbia on 16 December and Montenegro on 17 December 2021.
nnnn
Present at the opening of the virtual sessions, the Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, Dr. Mira Dašić, referred to the strong mental impact of Covid-19 on front-line health workers and the importance of cooperation and joint efforts in addressing this heavy toll. Since the start of the pandemic, health and care workers have been under unprecedented pressure as they provide care to COVID-19 patients, maintain essential health services, and roll-out vaccination rounds. Their work is the backbone of any health system, but the pandemic has brought to the front both their contributions and sacrifices. The SEE Health Network has been striving to implement initiatives that would reach out most of the health and care workers from the entire South Eastern European Region, the Director mentioned in the opening remarks.
nnnn
Notably, director Dašić emphasized the crucial role of personal commitment and contribution to dissemination efforts. I am grateful to all of you for the time and commitment to jointly address such an important issue as mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers. We expect you shall roll-out these training at your working place and community and be those to empower others in their daily challenges by contributing to the well-being around you.
nnnn
The content of the session is based on adapted training materials from NYC Health + Hospitals, with the generous support of the Center for Disaster Philanthrophy and provided by expert trainers from each of the implemented countries. The participants will have the opportunity to gain a deeper perspective on topics such as stress, trauma & resiliency, personal and professional wellness, impact, effect & outcome on healthcare workers, seeking help for ourselves & others, resilience & wellness program development.
