ZCZC
BSS-20
SAIMA-WORKSHOP-MENTAL HEALTH
Saima Wazed chairs WHO workshop session on mental health
DHAKA, Aug 29, 2018 (BSS) – Saima Wazed Hossain, Chairperson of the
National Advisory Committee on Autism and NDDs, yesterday chaired the first
session of a two-day workshop in Nepal on regional capacity building on
mental health in emergencies.
World Health Organization (WHO) South East Asia Regional Office and
Government of Nepal are jointly organizing the workshop that was inaugurated
on August 28.
Saima, a licensed School Psychologist, was invited at the workshop as an
expert, a press release of Centre for Research and Information (CRI) said
here today.
The objectives of the workshop were to provide technical updates on
situations, and available technical tools for mental health and psychological
support in emergencies, including knowledge and experience sharing across
countries; discuss road map to build national capacity for mental health and
psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergencies.
In addition to speaking at the inaugural session, Saima made a presentation
titled Cross-sectoral approach to MHPSS planning and implementations during
the second session of the first day (A Coordinated Response to Mental Health
and Psychosocial Support).
Her presentation provided explanation on why it is important to address
mental health issues in a disaster or emergency situation, gave insight into
initiatives taken in Bangladesh, how such initiatives were developed, and
suggestions on how to develop a national strategy to provide such support.
A part of the first day was also spent on contributing to the Collaborative
Framework for Coordinated Response to MHPSS in Emergencies, development of
which is being spearheaded by WHO-SEARO.
Saima, Chairperson of Shuchona Foundation, International Focal Point of the
Advisory Group on Disability and Disaster Risk Management, Ministry of
Disaster Management, is also WHO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in the
South East Asia Region.
BSS/PR-MHR/ARS/1621 hrs