14 April 2023
In this article, we talk to Elena Manina, the head of the staff counseling unit (SCU) at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). She shares insights on the department that supports the mental health of UN personnel in Afghanistan during a recent changeover that wasn't exactly smooth.
Tell us about the current operating situation in Afghanistan.
Given the complexity of the current operational environment in Afghanistan, the work-life balance of UN personnel is constantly changing. The SCU of the UNAMA consequently receives requests from UN personnel on a regular basis.
How is the Staff Counselling Unit prepared to support UN personnel in Afghanistan?
We have a team of four stress counsellors that are responsible for providing psychosocial support and welfare services for around 1100 UN personnel. As such, we monitor the determinants of stress and critical incident stress through periodic psychosocial needs assessments and implement a variety of stress management services for UN personnel customized for gender and diversity. Our focus is stress mitigation and preventative services through regular training modules that prepare staff for emergencies and other unexpected safety and security-related events that can cause high stress. Additionally, the unit is supported by a network of 18 peer helpers that are mainly national staff.
What services do you provide to the UN personnel in Afghanistan?
Every month, we provide around 74 UN personnel with a variety of services, including well-being checks, counseling, managerial consultations, and referrals for specialized mental health treatment. As of August 2022, the team has been working with the Critical Incident Stress Management Department, New York, and the UNDSS Afghanistan to provide services to UN agencies, funds, and programs.
How has the recent incidents in Afghanistan affected UN personnel?
Sadly, the current ban on women's access to education and employment has the greatest impact on national staff. For all Afghan women, the situation is unusual and difficult. To support female colleagues, we have been conducting regular group discussions on motivation and coping strategies during difficult times.
From a counsellor¡¯s lens, is Afghanistan any different from other countries facing crisis right now?
Afghanistan¡¯s conflict and its impact on UN personnel are unique to other crises, especially in relation to women¡¯s well-being.
At the height of the transition, how did UNAMA and CISMS remain in position to support UN personnel?
We used specialized technical guidance on mass situations in partnership with CISMS, which enabled us to offer stress counseling services during the evacuation period. To ensure that UN personnel received effective support when they relocated to a safe haven in Almaty, Kazakhstan, we kept in touch with the regional stress counsellor in CISMS.
Why does mental health matter?
Our psychological, emotional, and social functioning are significantly impacted by the status of our mental health, which is especially true during volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous periods. It's crucial to maintain physical health, develop resilience, and manage stress and uncertainty. To keep going, it is crucial to put self-care first.