INTERNAL GUIDELINES FOR REMOTE MHPSS WORKING MODALITIES | IOM

INTRODUCTION

WHO ARE THESE GUIDELINES DEVELOPED FOR?

These guidelines are developed for service providers of differing levels of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities in situations where direct physical contact with beneficiaries is limited or restricted.

WHY HAVE THESE GUIDELINES BEEN DEVELOPED?

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the recommended precautionary measures being implemented, such as physical distancing and limiting direct interaction with beneficiaries, in-person interviews have been kept to a minimum. As such, these guidelines were developed to assist MHPSS staff in using remote working modalities to work as efficiently as possible to provide MHPSS services to their beneficiaries.

WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES?

Preferable alternative modalities include:

• Online platforms (ex. video and/or audio through Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp, Viber or another online platform)
• Telephones (ex. audio)

WHAT ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THESE GUIDELINES?

The objective of these guidelines is to improve the capacity of MHPSS staff to deliver services through remote working modalities by:

• Recognizing the availability and utility of remote modalities.
• Identifying the process of scheduling appointments and setting up the necessary service.
• Identifying the main skills and steps required for a successful delivery of remote services.
• Knowing the ethical, confidential, and privacy considerations of these modalities.
• Identifying the main challenges of working remotely and learning skills to address them.