Providing mental health and psychosocial support to those affected by crises worldwide

The project is based on Humanity Crew's adapted version of the global guidelines for providing essential mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) during emergencies. It has been adjusted to fit the abilities of frontline responders working in Gaza. The focus is on building stress awareness, teaching stress management skills, and providing practical training on how to apply these essential MHPSS services in the challenging conditions of Gaza.

Humanity Crew is implementing a comprehensive program for educators and beneficiaries affected by the war, offering intensive workshops focused on emergency response, psychoeducation, decompression and self-care. Group support and individual sessions were tailored to meet the diverse needs of community members, providing a safe space for emotional processing and recovery.

The inauguration of the new Preparedness Hub in Nigeria was a significant step for the HC Hub program, aimed at building the capacity of national organizations, Nuru Nigeria (NN) and Every Girl Initiative (EGI) by building their capacities in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and integrating these practices into preparedness strategies as part of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

The inauguration of the Humanity Crew Preparedness Hub in Uganda commenced with an intensive training program designed to equip the partner organization, Imani Resilience, with essential skills and knowledge hosted in Uganda. This initial phase focused on enhancing the capacity of Imani Resilience staff to effectively integrate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) into Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies.

Humanity Crew swiftly responded to this crisis, arriving in Hawaii to provide immediate mental health aid to those impacted by the
wildfires. The assistance extended to local residents, evacuees, and emergency responders, addressing the psychological impact of
the crisis.

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In September 2023, following a significant earthquake in Morocco, Humanity Crew initiated a crucial mission, focusing on mental health support and collaborative capacity building. In partnership with local entities like the 'Collectif Psy' and the 'Association of Psychologists of Morocco,' the team provided culturally sensitive interventions, including individual counseling and group support sessions. A major component of their work involved training over 350 local educators and psychologists in psychological first aid and trauma-informed practices, aiming to strengthen the local mental health support system. This mission, marked by strategic alliances and a focus on sustainable impact, reached 554 individuals, showcasing Humanity Crew's commitment to providing lasting mental health solutions in crisis-hit areas.

In response to the refugee crisis stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Humanity Crew initiated a mission in June 2022 to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Our team, stationed in Dobczyce and Paszkówka, concentrated on providing mental health support to displaced Ukrainian families. Key interventions included trauma-informed yoga sessions and mental health support groups, specifically tailored to mothers and children. Additionally, mental health sessions were conducted for individuals and groups, addressing trauma, anxiety, and depression. A significant part of our mission involved training 435 Ukrainian mental health professionals in Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) and providing supervision to volunteers working with children with disabilities. Collaborating with local organizations, such as educational hubs and foundations, our team aimed to empower those affected by the conflict and enhance their mental well-being.

Responding to the catastrophic earthquake in Türkiye in February 2023, Humanity Crew embarked on a significant mission, offering mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to the affected populations. Composed of a team of multilingual mental health professionals, their work included providing individual counseling sessions, facilitating HC Circle support groups, and engaging in a variety of psychosocial activities. The focus of their interventions was on Syrian refugees, Turkish citizens, and humanitarian workers. Additionally, Humanity Crew undertook capacity-building initiatives, training local educators and mental health practitioners, thereby contributing to strengthening the mental health infrastructure in Türkiye. Their comprehensive efforts reached over 10,000 beneficiaries, showcasing a strong commitment to effective disaster response and sustainable community development.

Working in a developing-refugee-camp where there were no adequate infrastructures and resources made the effort to provide mental health services very challenging and difficult. The crisis in Northern Greece developed as a result of the EU-Turkey deal and the closure of the borders in that region. As one of the first responders in 2016 in Northern Greece, we established the “Diavata Trauma-Informed school” after discovering the huge need for mental health interventions. Our project used the educational infrastructure as a tool to bring normality to the lives of the children in the camp. The school was also a safe space where we can detect, prevent, and treat children who suffer from traumatic stress.

In 2018, Humanity Crew launched its services in Athens, Greece. Our mental health team provides MHPSS and expert workshops in various centers and shelters for refugees. Our partner centers vary from community day centers, to women’s shelters, to shelters for unaccompanied minors.

Our operations in Athens are provided with a focus on the mother tongue of refugees and are carried out by a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health professionals, and qualified volunteers. Our service providers are experts in treating victims of trauma and conflict and are in a unique position to provide direct linguistically and culturally adapted support, utilizing their own social and cultural background.

Currently, in all our host organizations we are responsible to provide MHPSS in Arabic for the refugees through community-based activities, focus group sessions, and individual sessions.

We started operations in Lesvos, Greece in 2015. Dividing the majority of our time between administering Psychological First Aid (PFA) on shorelines, ports, and onboard rescue boats, and providing more comprehensive mental health interventions at refugee camps and hospitals.

In addition to direct mental health initiatives in Lesvos, we also launched tailored activities geared towards empowering refugees and equipping them with the tools and skills needed to surpass the trauma they endured.

Our activities and projects are described in greater detail below:

• New Baby Project: The bond between a mother and child is a crucial component in the overall mental health of a family. This is especially true in crisis situations. In order to improve the bonding and early attachment between newborn babies and their mothers, we provided customized baby baskets containing clean baby bottles and clothes, as well as guidance on strengthening the newborn baby- mother bonding during exceptional circumstances.

• Daily Activities: Recognizing that trauma is multi-faceted and that it affects the individual, family, and community at different levels and in distinct ways, we focused on activities that targeted interventions at each stage: children activities, family activities, group sessions, and community activities.

• Mytilene Hospital: Following the timely identification of vulnerable cases, we assisted doctors and hospital staff by providing psychosocial support to refugees going through medical procedures, and by acting as cultural mediators and translators.

• Shorelines and Ports: We assembled on the shorelines and ports of Lesvos providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) to all refugees who landed, reassuring them of their safety, and addressing any concerns, in order to bring to them a sense of stability and security.

• Rescue Boats: Focused on two main steps: Psychological First Aid (PFA), and a second more comprehensive intervention, our mental health treatments onboard rescue boats began mid-sea and continued until the refugees arrived safely to the shores, where our team on-ground would receive them. This work was conducted through our partnership with Proactiva Open Arms, a Spanish organization of lifeguards that operate rescue vessels.

• PIKPA Camp: PIKPA Camp is a self-organized, autonomous space run by volunteers, and built on the principles of solidarity. We referred the most critical cases to PIKPA Camp and assisted in providing mental health interventions and psychosocial support.

• Moria Camp and Kara Tepe Camp: Moria Camp and Kara Tepe Camp are two of the largest refugee camps in Lesvos. We offered services of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and emergency intervention upon request, being called almost daily to provide aid.

The project aims to promote refugees’ well being and to improve their integration process by addressing one of the most important challenges among refugee children, parents, and the local community.

This one-year partnership includes:

• Developing bullying prevention programs for schools aiming to educate teachers and counselors about bullying directed to refugees.
• Creating mentorship programs that partner locals and refugee students.
• Teaching refugee parents about bullying and showing them how they can support their children.
• Cultural orientation activities/classes in refugee camps that teach local western culture.
• A media campaign that promotes anti-discrimination and anti-bullying rhetoric

“Lines of Life” is a collaborative project by the fashion designer Saher Okal and Humanity Crew.

Saher’s new collection depicts the journey of the children and what they have witnessed along the way, from the pain of losing a home and a homeland, through the challenge of land, sea, and people, and leading eventually to their heroic ability and determination to constantly renew their dream.

The initiative allocates its full proceeds to support projects that serve refugee children.