Training

One of the major activities InEHD undertakes to achieve its mission and vision is designing and
delivering different training programmes. Following the conflict and post conflict situations in
northern Ethiopia, InEHD designed and delivered a five-days training on Mental Health and
Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Wegagen Bank staff members in Tigray Region. Currently,
the training is delivered in seven rounds for 274 customer service officers of Wegagen Bank.

• Contact person for the client could be reached as follows: Genet Daba, Talent
  Development Director, Wegagen Bank. Tel 0911413289.
• Contact person for InEHD: Dr. Belay Hagos, email: belay.hailu67@gmail.com Tel.
  0911242543

Psychological trainings such as Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is relevant
and timely intervention for people traumatized by the effects of the war. As the result of being
exposed to war related traumatic exposures, normal way of feeling, thinking, and behaving are
distorted. These distortions impede normal functioning at individual, business, and community
levels. Thus, interventions that reverse these negative effects are highly demanded.

Intervention

The intervention is designed to empower participants to reclaim their lives from the grip of
trauma. The approach is to use psychological techniques and principles to solve challenges
encountered. Among others, narrative exposure therapy is used, where participants get
opportunity to process and heal the traumatic energy. Methodologically, the training is designed
with a series of exercises and presentations congruent with adult learning principles such as
experiential learning and active learning methodologies. This is given in five consecutive days.
Course Catalogue:

• Introduction
• Participants’ Self Introduction and Expectations
• Baseline Data 1 Collection (WTQ, DASS 21, Resilience, PTG)
• Objective of the training
• Methodology
• Foundations of Behavior and Behavior Change
• Nature of Trauma and Trauma Healing
• Narrative Exposure therapy (River of Life)
• Stress and Coping
• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
• Resilience, Posttraumatic Growth….Hope

From our current experience with the seven rounds of training given to customer service
officers of Wegagen bank, we have learnt that the intervention was effective. This was
demonstrated from the reflections of participants and organizers alike. Most participants
rated the training as relevant and timely.

Reflections from Participants

“This is the training I was looking for, and I am surprised when it came in my work place”
“I am healed… this training should be given to all people in Tigray with all means”
“The five days were too short, it was finished while was interesting… for other rounds the
number of days should be increased”
“I was able to identify my potential”
“I am honored to see committed professionals in Tigray… please continue the good work…
congrats!”
“I have achieved my expectation of becoming mentally strong”
“It has empowered me to do my job with patience and diligence”
“I have got practical experience on how I can overcome life challenges”
“It would be good if this training is given to different groups of community members”
“I have learnt problem solving skills which is relevant for my personal and professional life”
“I wonder how the organization selected such committed trainers… never seen like them”
“The training let me identify my strengths and weaknesses”
“The trainers facilitated the training in an impressive way”

Our target groups

• School teachers, principals, education leaders
• Students and out of school children
• Civil servants and leaders
• Demobilized former armed men and women
• Internally displaced women, children, and the elderly
• Persons with disabilities
• Victims of rape and sexual harassment