In collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation, UNOAU supported the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the design, development and delivery of a course on mental health and psycho-social support which took place in Ndjamena, Chad from 25 to 29 April. The rational for the course was to improve the wellbeing of MNJTF uniformed and civilian personnel deployed in the mission area, as well as to raise awareness on the psychological challenges that MNJTF troops face as a result of deployment to hostile environments.

The course aimed to equip participants with basic knowledge and skills in preventing, promoting and responding to mental health challenges before, during and after deployment to peace support operations. Some of the modules covered included screening tools, stress management, post-traumatic stress disorder, resilience, vulnerability and wellbeing in peace support operations. The course included 25 participants from all troop and police contributing countries to the MNJTF. The facilitators were drawn from UNOAU, AU and other subject matter experts from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.