Following the displacement of over 115,000 ethnic Armenians in September 2023, UNICEF Armenia and the Afeyan Foundation have successfully completed a partnership to expand mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services across the country, according to program announcements released in September 2026. The initiative addressed severe strains on local mental health infrastructure by training thousands of peer volunteers and launching the digital uSupport platform for displaced families and host communities.
Expanding Adolescent Peer Support Networks Across Armenia
Recognizing that young people frequently seek help from peers during emotional crises, UNICEF established structured adolescent peer support volunteer networks throughout Armenia. According to program data, these volunteers completed training in psychological first aid, communication strategies, and referral pathways under professional supervision.
The initiative successfully trained and mobilized 2,017 adolescent peer support volunteers. These young participants organized local peer discussions and awareness campaigns, ultimately reaching an additional 18,220 children and adolescents to improve mental health literacy and encourage help-seeking behaviors.
Strengthening Community Support Systems and Adult Networks
Beyond youth-focused outreach, the partnership engaged parents, social workers, psychologists, and community professionals to build a safer local environment for vulnerable families. According to UNICEF Armenia, the program equipped these adults to recognize early signs of psychosocial distress and handle referrals to specialized care.
The program trained 1,098 parent and social worker peer support volunteers. Through community engagement efforts, these trained adults reached an additional 26,004 beneficiaries, extending essential mental health resources into regions where professional services remain scarce.
Did You Know? The partnership utilized creative outlets such as visual storytelling, theater, and music-based activities to connect approximately 2,000 children and young people in safe, inclusive spaces, according to program impact reports.
Deploying Digital Infrastructure Through the uSupport Platform
To address a shortage of mental health professionals across Armenia, UNICEF launched the Armenian version of uSupport, an open-source digital mental health platform designed for adolescents. According to project documentation, the cloud-based system provides young people, caregivers, and professionals with on-demand text, audio, and video consultations while complying with GDPR+ data privacy and anonymity standards.
The collaborative initiative was implemented across vulnerable host communities in cooperation with several local organizations, including the Parenting School NGO, Media Initiatives Center, DizakArt, Sistema Armenia Cultural Foundation, and the Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the expansion of MHPSS services in Armenia?
The expansion followed the September 2023 displacement of over 115,000 ethnic Armenians, which included 36,000 children seeking refuge in Armenia, according to UNICEF data.
How many volunteers were trained through the UNICEF and Afeyan Foundation partnership?
The program trained 2,017 adolescent peer support volunteers and 1,098 parent and social worker peer support volunteers, according to official reports.
What is the uSupport platform?
uSupport is a digital mental health and psychosocial support platform launched by UNICEF to provide adolescents, caregivers, and professionals with anonymous, expert-backed online consultations and self-help tools.
Stay Informed on Regional Health Initiatives
Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on community development and humanitarian responses across the region.