14 to 18 November 2022 – Psychosocial Support Training (2nd Batch), Siem Reap, Cambodia

The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) together with the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) hosted the second batch of training on Psychosocial Supports. This time, the training focused on helping community leaders and volunteers from national non-profit organizations and foundations with the aim of enhancing their skills on psychosocial support to enable them to extend psychosocial supports to landmines/Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) victims in their communities. The training covered topics relating to psychiatric diagnosis, anxiety disorders, psychosocial impact of landmines and basic ground techniques, psychological first aid, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, caring for the self, alcohol and drug abuse, somatic symptom, suicide and deliberated self-harm.

The trainees conveyed their gratitude as this had equipped them with the knowledge and skills, especially when working with landmine victims dealing with trauma and stress. A total of 78 participants joined the training, most of which expressed their interest in attending the Training for Psychosocial Support Trainers, which is planned in late 2023.

Dr. Evelyn Boon, Prof. Leslie Lim and Dr. Cecilia Kwok, psychological and psychiatric experts, led the five-day training. ARMAC staff provided administrative and logistics support. The training was made possible by the generous funding received from the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund.