Completion of Specialized Mental Health Webinar Series to Strengthen School Counselors’ Capacities in Palestine

Juzoor for Health and Social Development, in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, concluded a series of three specialized webinars on mental health and psychosocial support. The webinars were implemented as part of the “Mental Health Matters” project, implemented by Juzoor in partnership with CARE Palestine, through the Belgian agency for international cooperation (Enabel), with the support from the Belgian government.

The webinars targeted school counselors and supervisors within the Ministry of Education, aiming to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills in responding to students’ psychosocial needs, and to enhance their ability to provide initial support and manage psychological and behavioral challenges within the school environment.

A total of 518 participants registered across the three webinars. The seminars addressed practical topics, most notably supporting students in cases of grief and loss, providing remote psychological first aid, and developing de-escalation skills and strategies for handling challenging behaviors in emergency situations. They were delivered by psychologist Luma Tarzi using an interactive approach that focused on discussing real-life cases, exchanging experiences, and conducting practical exercises, which helped bridge theoretical concepts with the everyday challenges faced in schools.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the practical nature of the webinars, highlighting their importance in creating a professional space to discuss counseling challenges and exchange solutions. One participant noted the value of the tools provided for delivering remote counseling services, emphasizing that the content enriched her experience and that she intends to apply what she learned in her work.

Dr. Alaa’ Abu Bakir a representative from the Ministry of Education described the sessions as outstanding and highly enriching for the educational field, expressing hope for the continuation of such initiatives due to their role in strengthening counseling practices and enhancing counselors’ capacities to better serve students.

Juzoor reaffirmed its commitment to continuing collaboration with the Ministry of Education and partners to strengthen the capacities of educational staff and further develop mental health and psychosocial support services within schools, contributing to safer and more supportive learning environments for students.