EASF Participates in AU Workshop to Strengthen Mental Health Support in Peace Support Operations

Accra, Ghana - The Head of the Civilian Component of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Mrs. Noowe Kakono Monalisa, is participating in an African Union (AU) Validation Workshop on the Draft AU Policy on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Peace Support Operations (PSOs), taking place in Accra, Ghana.

 The workshop brings together representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), and technical experts to review and strengthen the draft policy.

The workshop aims to advance a coordinated AU approach to mental health and psychosocial support across peace support operations. Participants are examining the draft policy and providing technical inputs and recommendations to ensure that it is practical, responsive and reflective of the needs of personnel serving in peace support missions.

Discussions focus on strengthening measures to protect the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of personnel operating in complex and high-risk environments, while supporting their resilience and operational effectiveness.

EASF’s participation provides an operational perspective from the regional standby force and contributes to ongoing efforts to establish a practical and coherent continental framework for mental health and psychosocial support in AU peace support operations.