In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, through four interviews, Communications Officer Jesper Guhle explores the MHPSS programmes and services provided by Red Cross Red Crescent National Socieities across the African region.

Interviewees:

• Serah Kalumbilo, Zambia Red Cross Society
• Ernest P. Nyame Annan, Ghana Red Cross Society
• Omar Sheikh Mohamud, Somali Red Crescent Society
• Nathalie Nyamukeba, ICRC

In the podcast, a Community of Practice for Red Cross Red Crescent MHPSS focal points in the African region is being mentioned. For more information about the Community of Practice, contact MHPSS specialist Guleed Dualeh, gudua@rodekors.dk

In this episode we will talk about the Sport Coach+ initiative implemented in a partnership between the MHPSS Hub and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF). The initiative aims to create trauma informed and healing centered sports environments for young athletes between the ages of 10 and 24 with a focus on those with a background of displacement. The first phase of the initiative focused on youth affected by forced displacement within and out of Ukraine and it was implemented across ten European countries and so far a total of 1400 coaches and trainers have been trained. The initiative is implemented in cooperation with Red Cross National Societies and National Olympic Committees.

The podcast episode will feature three guests: Guleed Dualeh, MHPSS Specialist at the MHPSS Hub, Anna Kachmaryk, MHPSS Training Specialist with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, and Sabrina Hermosilla, Assistant Professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and member of the ORF Think Tank. They have been involved in the initiative in different roles and will share their experiences and perspectives on the initiative and the link between sport and mental health.

You can learn more about the Sport Coach+ initiative on: www.sportcoachplus.org.

This episode of Heartbeat of Humanity is the fourth and last episode in a mini-series about the mental health of children and young adults in the contexts of emergencies or conflict with child and adolescent psychiatrist Brett McDermott.

In this episode, MHPSS Adviser Arz Stephan talks to Brett about who among children and adolescents - or people in general - need further support following a natural hazard.

Brett is an Australian child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is head of Tasmania’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and professor at the University of Tasmania.

Brett has led several post-disaster programs in Australia to better support young people experiencing the trauma of floods, cyclones, bushfires and storms. His approach has influenced post-disaster interventions globally.

Brett is currently a visiting scholar at the MHPSS hub.