Psychosocial Support Training Strengthens Young People’s Resilience

Psychosocial Support for Disaster-Affected Young People

As part of “Mind Games, Digitalisation and Disaster Awareness: A Journey towards the Future for Young People”, KOZ-DER organised psychosocial support training and group activities for earthquake-affected young people with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye.

Delivered by Specialist Psychological Counsellor Cevher Çetin, the training addressed the effects of the earthquake on young people. The activities helped support participants in making sense of their experiences and strengthening their psychological resilience, complementing the project’s learning and social participation activities.

Training to Strengthen Psychological Resilience

The psychosocial support activities aimed to provide emotional and social support alongside opportunities to gain knowledge and skills. Focusing on the effects of the earthquake and psychological resilience, the training created space to support young people’s recovery and empowerment after the disaster.

Led by Cevher Çetin, the activities enabled participants to come together in a supportive group setting. The training recognised the importance of their experiences and supported an approach to growing stronger together.

Participation, Connection and Group Activities

Alongside the training, various activities were held with earthquake-affected young people. Group work and activities encouraging shared participation provided opportunities for interaction and stronger social connections.

Young people’s active participation was valued throughout the process. Bringing training and activities together supported a shared experience of psychosocial support and solidarity. The photo gallery brings together moments from sessions and activities with different groups.

The Project’s Holistic Support Approach

Designed to empower young people in Kilis affected by the 6 February earthquakes, the project received TRY 910,000 in grant support and was planned with an implementation schedule of approximately eight months. The programme for young people aged 14–29 brought together mind games, robotics and coding, digital skills, disaster awareness, psychosocial support and cultural-social activities.

Psychosocial support training formed an important part of the programme’s approach to supporting recovery and psychological resilience after the disaster. Learning and social participation opportunities were addressed together with emotional and social support.

Thank You

KOZ-DER thanks the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye for its support, Specialist Psychological Counsellor Cevher Çetin for delivering the psychosocial support training and activities, our organising team and all young people who took part.

We continue to work in solidarity to support young people after disasters, strengthen their social connections and build resilience.