In March and October of 2021, “Bridges to Peace and Solidarity”, and its partners “Action for Child Trauma International”, implemented a training program entitled “Anxiety Reduction and Promoting Resilience in Children in Yemen”. This program served as an inaugural initiative for this country. We targeted 50 mental health workers and teachers from schools and centers working with children and adolescents aged 7 to 17, in the Aden, Taiz, and Hadhramaut provinces.
From November 2021 to January 2022, facilitators implemented training programs in 17 schools and care centers, benefiting 360 students in thes three provinces.
The facilitators carried out a variety of training sessions such as storytelling/drawing, playing, relaxation techniques, deep breathing, and educational videos.
Moreover, sessions were held for parents to help them understand the symptoms of their own anxiety and its effects on their children. These sessions also helped parents to understand the feelings and behaviors of their children, and techniques for helping to reduce their anxiety levels as well.
In 2022, we will continue to provide these programs and extend them to schools in other provinces of Yemen.
