SDF’s Youth Hub Launch Psychological First Aid (PFA) Workshops
Through its Youth Hub project, Social Development Forum has conducted a series of Psychological First Aid (PFA) workshops designed to raise mental health awareness and equip young people with essential crises response skills. This initiative responds to the severe psychological pressures resulting from the ongoing humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip.
These workshops follow the intensive PFA and humanitarian standards training for the new Hub members, who now lead field sessions across displacement camps in the Gaza Strip. Working in self-named teams, these youth facilitators are expanding peer-to-peer education on mental health topics throughout the displaced community.
What do these workshops offer?
These PFA workshops create safe spaces for expression and deliver awareness sessions on mental health fundamentals, while building skills for peer-to-peer support.
The program includes 30 training sessions delivered by 10 teams, with each team conducting workshops over 3 consecutive days with their target group to design supportive, interactive relationships.
The initiative serves 120 adolescents (males and females) aged 10-18 across the Gaza Strip, empowering them to understand their emotions, manage stress, and cope with difficult situations.
In the final days, participants received PFA Kits containing symbolic and practical tools, including Rubik’s cubes, water bottles, notebooks, pens, wet wipes, and tissues, to encourage self-care and stress-relieving activities.
Sustained Commitment
This initiative is part of the SDF‘s ongoing efforts to support youth well-being and strengthen their capacity to help themselves and their communities through a humanitarian, participatory approach that reflects the volunteer spirit of the Youth Hub.
Field Coordinator Samar Dawoud, who worked directly with teams on the ground, shared: “The PFA workshops for adolescents were truly special. The implementation was smooth, organization was precise, and the atmosphere remained supportive, all helping participants engage naturally and share comfortably.”
I observed remarkable responsiveness from youth. From the very first moment, they actively participated, sharing experiences and asking questions. It was clear how relevant and important these topics were to them.
Samar Dawoud, Field Coordinator
These PFA workshops were implemented through the SDF Youth Hub project in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The program encompasses extensive youth-led activities, from initial skills and initiative training to launching and implementation, including diverse workshops on sexual health, psychosocial support, and personal hygiene.