Community-Based Services | Restart Center

IASC Intervention Pyramid

Level of Intervention

Focused, Non-Specialized Supports

Community-based psychosocial support, co-facilitated by trained and supervised (refugee) outreach volunteers.
Psychological First Aid (Beirut Blast Program).
Basic mental health care provided by primary health care workers.

Foundation

The foundation of all community-based psychosocial work is the belief in the affected community's capacity for recovery and resilience. All communities and individuals have resources and strategies for dealing with difficulties, illness, and distress.

Approach

Key Points & Approach

Key Points

Community-based psychosocial support builds on individual and community resources, capacities, and resilience.
Mobilization of community support networks is an essential element of a sustainable psychosocial response.

Approach

Mapping and building on local resources, including community networks, practices, processes, and mechanisms.
Mobilizing and training community-level volunteers linked to existing networks and a referral system, and promoting peer support.
Meaningful participation of local actors and community members at all stages of engagement.
Use of existing entry points such as community centers, social development centers, and other community-based platforms.

Specific Objectives

To prevent the onset of mental disorders among people with psychosocial and other mental health problems from refugee populations and host communities.
To build the capacity of (refugee) outreach volunteers to design, implement, and evaluate psychosocial support programs in their communities or country of origin in case of safe return.

Process

CB-PSS Three-Month Cycle

Identification of Outreach Volunteers

Identifying outreach volunteers with health, education, or other relevant backgrounds.

Capacity Building for Outreach Volunteers

Screening and referrals of people with mental health and psychosocial problems.
Designing, facilitating, and evaluating CB-PSS sessions.
Codes of conduct and ethical guidelines.

III

Identification of People in Need

Trained outreach volunteers identify people in need within targeted communities.

Group Participatory Assessment Sessions

Group sessions targeting identified affected persons to understand their needs, resources, and gaps, and to develop the main objectives for the CB-PSS program.

Needs Assessments & Registration

Individual needs assessments and registration of affected persons.

Formation of CB-PSS Groups

Groups of 10 to 15 participants formed based on age, gender, vulnerabilities, culture, geographical area, and needs.

VII

Development of Tailored Programs

A tailored CB-PSS program developed for each group based on participatory assessment findings and individual needs.

VIII

Implementation

Around 10 to 15 remote or face-to-face sessions per group, facilitated by Restart Center specialists and co-facilitated by trained outreach volunteers.

Program Evaluation

Structured evaluation of the CB-PSS program's effectiveness and outcomes.

Program Types

Types of CBS Programs

Psychosocial support
Peace-building education
Awareness-raising
Parental guidance targeting parents of children with special needs
Physiotherapy
Recreational activities including cultural and artistic performances

Aim of PSS Activities

Foster social connections and interactions through existing community networks of children, youth, and women.
Normalize daily life.
Promote a sense of competence and restoration of control over one's life.
Build on and encourage individual and community resilience to crisis.
Provide for identifying, referring, and treating individuals with severe mental disorders.
Strengthen social cohesion between host communities and refugee populations.

Who They Serve

Target Groups

Survivors of torture, violence, and trauma
Survivors of gender-based violence
Persons deprived of their liberty in places of detention
Refugees
Children with special needs and their parents/caregivers
Persons with mental illness
Women and children
Women heads of households
Vulnerable individuals from the LGBT community
Children with emotional or behavioral problems (including in public schools and orphanages)

Where to Find Us

Locations

North Lebanon

Sabalbal & Weli Bldg., Residence 52nd Floor, Dam & Farez Street, Tripoli

Beirut & Mount Lebanon

Bou Chedid Center, Main Street4th Floor, Furn El-Chebbak

This page is part of the Salama resource directory. Information is provided for awareness purposes only.
For the most up-to-date details, visit restart-lb.org.