Following the development of the Training plan and programme for improving the well-being and mental health of prison staff working with violent extremist offenders (VEOs) and others susceptible to radicalisation, a 3-day Training of Trainers (ToT) took place on 29-31 October 2025 in Sarajevo.

A total of 22 prison staff from 12 prisons in Bosnia and Herzegovina enhanced their knowledge and skills on practical measures to improve well-being and mental health of prison staff and to prevent and detect deterioration of mental health as well as on stigma free communication about mental health. They also raised their understanding on different mental health disorders and on support mechanism available within the prison setting and externally.

The participants are now better prepared and equipped to deliver trainings to their peers, present information effectively, lead activities that contribute towards the prevention of mental health issues at workplace and raise awareness on such an important topic among senior prison managers.

The Council of Europe will further support prison staff in BiH, in cooperation with all three ministries of justice and prisons, in establishing internal and external prevention, detection and intervention mechanisms related to the well-being and mental health.

This activity was organised as part of the Council of Europe Project “Providing for effective reintegration of violent extremist offenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PER-VEO) - Phase I”, which is funded under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.