UN personnel operate in some of the world's most demanding and high-risk environments. Ensuring they have access to qualified and specialized mental health support is a core part of what makes operations possible.

Last week in Entebbe, Uganda, 23 mental health professionals — psychiatrists, psychologists, and UN staff counsellors — completed the UNDSS Certification Programme, strengthening the United Nations’ capacity to prevent, assess, and respond to psychological risks in field operations. Participants represented a diverse range of duty stations and countries, including Guinea, Chad, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Madagascar, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Togo, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Mali, Burundi, Senegal, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Participants had already laid the groundwork online in December 2025. Entebbe was where that preparation translated into hands-on training and, ultimately, certification. Designed for real-world complexity, the programme moved beyond theory, immersing participants in scenario-based exercises that reflect the pressures of operating in high-risk contexts. Through practical simulations and collaborative exchange, participants strengthened their ability to deliver timely, coordinated, and evidence-informed psychosocial support where it is needed most.