UNRWA delegation visits GCMHP to benefit from its telephone counselling experience

UNRWA delegation visits GCMHP to benefit from its telephone counselling experience

A delegation from the UNRWA Health Department visited GCMHP to lean from its experience in providing the free telephone counselling services and distant psychosocial support. 

The delegation, chaired by Dr Khaleel Hamad, Disease Control Officer, included Dr. Basel Al-Hamarna, Mental Health Supervisor at UNRWA in the Middle Area, Dr Rana AL-Nahal, Mental Health Supervisor in Khan Younis and Rafah at UNRWA.

The delegation was met by by Dr Yasser Abu Jamei, GCMHP Director General, Mr Qusi Abu Odeh, Director of External Relations and Resource Development Department and Mrs. Enas Jouda,  Head of the Training and Capacity Building Unit.

The UNRWA’s visit aimed at benefiting from the GCMHP experience of providing telephone counselling and Remote Psychological Support.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abu Jamei welcomed the cooperation between the GCMHP and UNRWA in providing psychosocial support to the Palestinian community.

Dr Hamad presented a summary of the nature of the work of the Health Department at UNRWA and the integration of the mental health services in the framework of primary care and the developments related to Covid-19 crisis and their response.

He also said that UNRWA had recently adopted the provision of remote psychological support service and also explained their need for benefiting from GCMHP’s expertise in providing such services.

Dr. Abu Jamei talked about the Programme’s experience during Covid-19 crisis and the procedures and protocols that are followed during the provision of the services and how to maintain the privacy of clients.

He also explained the type of services provided through GCMHP hotline, which ranges from counselling and identifying cases to referral.

Dr Hamad discussed UNRWA’s proposal to have 40 health workers trained by GCMHP on how to provide telephone counselling.

At the end of the session, it was agreed that the GCMHP to send the training agenda for discussion and approval.