A series of tailored workshops organised by the Council of Europe in early 2025 has significantly enhanced the capacities of Armenian civil servants and professionals working in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for children.

Held over the period of February-July 2025, these capacity building sessions equipped more than 80 participants from key state institutions, including the Ministries of Education, Health, Labour and Social Affairs, and Internal Affairs, with the knowledge and practical tools to better support children affected by trauma. The initiative builds on the Manual on Psychological Support and Assistance to Children Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events (in Armenian), previously adapted to the Armenian context. The manual and its accompanying materials were discussed and revised during a 2024 peer-review workshop, which brought together national and international experts, including representatives from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and civil society organisations.

Through these thematic sessions, the participants strengthened their understanding of child protection and trauma response. The sessions also aimed to foster inter-agency co-operation and a collective effort, enabling trained professionals to pass on their expertise and expand the reach of these essential practices.

This initiative is aimed at contributing to Armenia’s efforts to build a resilient support system for children who have experienced trauma, and the country’s commitment to safeguarding children's rights and well-being.

These activities were organized within the project “Protecting the Rights of Armenian Children in Post-Conflict Context”, which is part of the Council of Europe comprehensive response package to the refugee influx under the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.