According to UNICEF Armenia, a partnership with the Afeyan Foundation has successfully expanded mental health and psychosocial support services for displaced and host community children, adolescents, caregivers, and frontline professionals across the country. The initiative launched following the events of September 2023, when over 115,000 ethnic Armenians—including 36,000 children—fled their homeland to seek refuge in Armenia.
Adolescent Peer Support Networks and Community Outreach
Recognizing that young people frequently turn to peers during emotional distress, UNICEF established structured adolescent peer support volunteer networks across Armenia. According to program data, 2,017 adolescent peer support volunteers underwent specialized training in psychological first aid, communication, and referral pathways. These volunteers subsequently reached an additional 18,220 children and young people through peer discussions and awareness initiatives.
Did you know? Structured peer support training helps mitigate the immediate and long-term impacts of displacement-related distress while reducing social stigma around mental health care.
Strengthening Support Systems for Families and Professionals
Beyond youth networks, the partnership focused on equipping parents, psychologists, and social workers with basic intervention skills. According to UNICEF, the program trained 1,098 parent and social worker peer support volunteers to recognize signs of psychosocial distress and facilitate referrals. These adult volunteers extended outreach to 26,004 additional beneficiaries in regions where traditional mental health resources remain scarce.
To foster social cohesion between displaced families and host communities, UNICEF and its partners utilized creative outlets. Programs involving visual storytelling, theater, and music provided roughly 2,000 children with inclusive spaces for dialogue and self-expression.
Digital Innovation via the uSupport Platform
To address professional shortages across Armenia, UNICEF introduced the Armenian version of uSupport, an open-source digital mental health platform. The cloud-based system connects adolescents, caregivers, and professionals with on-demand consultations, self-help tools, and verified referral pathways while maintaining strict data privacy compliance.
Leadership Perspectives on Community Resilience
“The Afeyan Foundation’s support has made a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of children, adolescents and families affected by displacement,” noted Dr Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Representative in Armenia, highlighting the need for flexible care models during professional shortages. Irina Seylanyan, CEO of Afeyan Initiatives for Armenia, added that investing in youth mental well-being is a vital contribution to the nation’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the expansion of mental health services in Armenia?
The expansion followed the displacement of over 115,000 ethnic Armenians, including 36,000 children, who sought refuge in Armenia starting in September 2023.
How many young volunteers were mobilized through the UNICEF program?
According to UNICEF, 2,017 adolescent peer support volunteers were trained and mobilized across the country.
What is the uSupport platform?
uSupport is a digital mental health platform launched by UNICEF that provides young people, parents, and professionals with on-demand consultations, self-help resources, and referral pathways.
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