Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) Launches “Self-Help Plus” (SH+) Training-of-Trainers in Collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO)

GCMHP has launched a specialized Training-of-Trainers program for the Self-Help Plus (SH+) intervention to enhance professional capacity and expand evidence-based psychological interventions in the Gaza Strip.

The training is part of a project agreement between GCMHP and WHO to deliver training programs for staff of the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

On Sunday, November 1, 2026, the Training and Research Department launched the training for 18 psychologists and MHPSS workers from the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The program is designed to qualify them as trainers of facilitators, enabling them to implement the SH+ intervention in accordance with its established methodology and standards.

Self-Help Plus (SH+) is a psychological intervention developed by WHO to help individuals manage psychological distress and strengthen coping skills and resilience through structured group sessions and simplified guided materials.

GCMHP began implementing SH+ in 2022 and has evaluated its effectiveness and cultural suitability for the Palestinian community. This expansion, focused on building professional capacity, is part of GCMHP’s ongoing efforts to develop and diversify its range of practical, evidence-based tools. The five-day training (30 hours) covers the scientific and methodological foundations of the program, its components, and implementation mechanisms, as well as skills in training, facilitation, managing group sessions, and addressing challenges that may arise.

Beyond theory, the training includes a practical component where participants train other facilitators, followed by supervision and technical follow-up sessions to ensure quality delivery.

This initiative is part of GCMHP’s efforts to strengthen the system of psychological interventions and improve access to mental health and psychosocial support services in the Gaza