Fundraising to support mental health training/delivery

Summary of Mental Health Training Program:

The program, originally developed by Dr. Arshad Husain and culturally adapted for Haiti by Dr. Guerda Nicolas, aims to equip teachers, health care providers, and community leaders with tools to identify and support mental health issues, especially in post-disaster settings. It has trained over 6,000 professionals globally and uses online technology for ongoing support. In Haiti, the initiative will train 200 participants—including physicians, nurses, teachers, and community leaders—through a 5-day course focusing on trauma-informed care and culturally sensitive approaches.

A “train-the-trainer” model will ensure long-term sustainability by preparing 10–20 trainers to lead future sessions. The training materials include content adapted from NIMH disaster response manuals and the Patient-Centered Culturally Sensitive Health Care Model. A team of Haitian-American professionals will conduct the sessions, with multiple trips planned for training and supervision. The program includes pre/post evaluations, focus groups, and interviews to assess impact, knowledge gained, and cultural competence. Coordination will be overseen by a steering committee and led by Drs. Rigaud, Douyon, and Nicolas.

The estimated budget for implementation is $18,937, covering airfare, accommodations, meals, supplies, AV, and administrative costs.