Quang Tri: Basic training course on psychological support for persons with disabilities and family members

The training aimed to enhance the capacity of grassroots healthcare staff, village health workers, interdisciplinary teams in mental health support, and members of the local Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in recognizing and addressing common psychological issues among persons with disabilities.

Healthcare staff delivered presentations on psychological support for persons with disabilities and their family members

The program covered key topics such as:

• An overview of mental health and common disorders like anxiety and depression;
• Introduction to appropriate psychological screening tools applicable in community settings;
• Basic principles and skills for psychological counseling and support for persons with disabilities and their families.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, participants engaged in practical exercises including screening practice, role-playing scenarios, and interactive group activities. These methods helped trainees not only grasp essential knowledge but also develop practical application skills, preparing them to take on roles in community-based psychological support.

Members of the Association of Persons with Disabilities engaged in a disability screening simulation, supported by the dedicated instruction of the trainers

The course was conducted by Nguyen Van Manh, M.A. in Clinical Psychology – an independent expert in community mental health. His engaging and approachable teaching style fostered strong connections with the participants and maintained a highly interactive learning environment throughout the two-day training.

By the end of the course, participants had consolidated their foundational knowledge and gained greater confidence in conducting screenings and providing psychological support in their communities. This training marks an important first step for ACDC in continuing to organize advanced training sessions and building a sustainable core team dedicated to mental health support for persons with disabilities in Quang Tri.