In Türkiye’s south-eastern provinces, WHO is supporting the delivery of 2 mental health and psychosocial programmes that are helping communities to continue to recover from the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023. By strengthening the capacity of health and social service professionals in the region to deliver interventions, these programmes are helping both young people and adults to adapt and thrive as the region continues to rebuild.
On 10–21 August, health and social service professionals in Hatay and surrounding provinces participated in facilitator trainings for the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) and Problem Management Plus (PM+) programmes, which are designed to strengthen the capacity of local practitioners to deliver structured group interventions in earthquake-affected regions.
These evidence-based programmes were launched by the Social Inclusion of Persons with Mental Disabilities Project with funding from WHO and the European Union and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. In Hatay and surrounding areas, professionals from both ministries learned to facilitate these programmes through role-play activities and other interactive methods.
Building resilience among young people
EASE is a structured psychological group intervention developed for those aged 10–15 experiencing emotional distress, including symptoms of anxiety, stress or depression. It also involves sessions for caregivers, aiming to equip families with tools to support their children.
“EASE taught us how to communicate with adolescents and help them express their feelings through tools such as the ‘feelings jar’ and breathing exercises,” explained Makbule Bayraktar, a psychologist at the Antakya Social Service Centre. “I am confident these skills will benefit children both in schools and at home.”
Azat Duman, an EASE trainer, shared, “We completed the training with colleagues from both ministries. This joint participation is crucial for ensuring the programme is implemented effectively and continues over time.” He believes the programme will significantly strengthen children’s mental health and resilience in the aftermath of disasters.
A variety of creative and interactive methods are integrated into the programme. “There are activities such as drawing, role play, storytelling and group exercises that build communication,” said Onur Kuş, a psychologist from Hatay Social Service Centre. “In environments where children may feel isolated, EASE offers them support and helps strengthen their emotional skills. I hope it will be expanded so that more children living through difficulties can benefit.”
Supporting adults with practical coping strategies
The PM+ programme, introduced in Türkiye in 2020, is a brief intervention designed to help adults manage stress and everyday problems. Delivered in 5 sessions of 90 minutes, PM+ equips participants with practical problem-solving skills, stress management techniques and strategies to build social support.
For practitioners working in the earthquake-affected provinces, the training offered tools they can immediately apply in their daily work. “Before the training, I was unsure how to approach certain cases,” said Ayaz Sevdi, a social worker from Defne District Health Directorate. “Now, with the structured techniques we practised, I feel prepared to guide people in coping with stress and moving forward in their lives.”
Others emphasized the programme’s practicality. “The programme equipped me with practical tools and confidence to work effectively with individuals to cope with the challenges and stressful events of daily life,” said Tuğba Özer, a psychologist from Kahramanmaraş. “PM+ gives people simple but effective skills they can apply right away, helping them face the overwhelming stress of everyday life after the earthquake.”
Expanding capacity for long-term recovery
By training facilitators from both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family and Social Services, WHO is contributing to the availability of evidence-based mental health and psychosocial support services in Türkiye’s health and social care system.
“Through these trainings, our aim is to support local capacity so that health and social service professionals can continue supporting children, families and individuals well beyond the immediate response,” said Akfer Karaoglan Kahilogullari, Project Manager at WHO. “With the funding of the European Union and the strong leadership of our national partners, Türkiye is making significant progress in expanding access to mental health and psychosocial support.”
Uğur Ortaç, a health expert from the Ministry of Health, also underlined the long-term impact: “Strengthening mental health and psychosocial support is a cornerstone of recovery. With these trainings, we are investing not only in the present well-being of communities, but also in their future resilience. We have taken an important step towards ensuring the continuity of these trainings in the future, especially in order to strengthen aid in the earthquake zone.”
As the region continues to rebuild, these facilitator trainings mark a step forward in ensuring that affected communities receive the support they need to recover, adapt and thrive.