Meet Ahmed Yagoob, MHPSS Officer in Sudan.
Where are you based?
I am based in Kassala, Sudan. I am passionate about helping communities that are impacted by a range of mental health and psychosocial issues, and offering them mental health and psychosocial support services.
What is your background?
I am a psychiatric/mental health nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from University of Sennar and a Master’s degree in psychiatric and mental health nursing, obtained from University of Bahri in Khartoum in 2023. I also have a postgraduate diploma in general nursing from Karay University and have taken short courses related to training of trainers, e-teaching and addiction treatment.
How long have you worked at International Medical Corps?
I started at International Medical Corps in November 2023.
What do you do in a typical day?
As a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer, I am in charge of implementing different MHPSS activities in Kassala state. Currently, I oversee four state Ministry of Health (MoH) MHPSS counselors working at two primary healthcare facilities and two mobile health and nutrition teams with integrated MHPSS services. The MoH MHPSS counselors provide brief psychological interventions for a variety of mental health issues—including acute stress, moderate to severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis.
The MHPSS counselors also offer structured psychosocial support services in a welcoming environment for kids and young adults, as well as peer, adult and parent support groups or discussions; artistic, cultural and recreational activities; and psychoeducation on various mental health topics. My main duty is to provide technical guidance and supervision to these counselors to ensure the delivery of quality MHPSS services. I also participate in MHPSS meetings and activities in collaboration with the MoH in Kassala state.
What are you working on now?
I am preparing for two significant training courses on psychological first aid (PFA) for community leaders and health staff. The goal of PFA is to increase the knowledge and skills of community leaders and health staff of primary healthcare centers and mobile clinics, who act as essential frontline responders to provide psychological assistance to people affected by conflict in Kassala state, as well as to internally displaced people—helping to reduce distress, and promoting resilience and coping. I am also working on MHPSS activities with other national and international organizations.
What are you proudest of achieving at International Medical Corps?
I am proud of leading efforts to provide MHPSS services in Kassala, as I believe they are especially critical with the current conflict in Sudan. I am pleased that I am contributing to positive mental well-being, and helping people in Kassala build resilience.
Tell us about a time you made a difference at International Medical Corps.
I once saw someone at a campaign gathering for soap distribution who had stopped taking his psychotropic medication and appeared to show symptoms of relapse. I talked to the person about the importance of taking this medication. I also talked to the person’s family about the mental health condition. I hope that the staff and other people at the gathering also learned something about the importance of MHPSS, since I took the opportunity to correct many misconceptions related to mental health conditions in the community.
A few weeks later, I heard that the person was doing well and the family was pleased with their loved one’s mental health state. It is positive feedback like this that makes me proud and motivates me to help International Medical Corps grow our services, especially since there are very few MHPSS service providers in Sudan.
What do you like best about working at International Medical Corps?
Being able to personally improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of people in need of MHPSS services is what I value most. When I first looked at International Medical Corps’ global MHPSS work, I liked what I saw and decided I wanted to work with this organization. When the opportunity to join presented itself, I took it without hesitation.
The organization’s dedication to MHPSS as a key area is one of the reasons I like working here, especially considering that there are very few actors in Sudan that provide MHPSS services and that the MHPSS situation was already dire before the conflict worsened. I also like International Medical Corps’ collaborative, integrative approach, as it enhances communities’ access to services.
What have you learned at International Medical Corps?
Working at International Medical Corps has been an ongoing learning and development experience for me. I have learned so much about the complexity of humanitarian situations and the value of giving MHPSS first priority when responding to emergencies. I have developed my abilities in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care and community empowerment through practical experience, education and teamwork—helping me to better assist people in need.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I am strongly committed to advancing psychosocial well-being and mental health in humanitarian contexts. Beyond the technical parts of my work, I place a high value on helping people cultivate resilience, forging close bonds with locals and pushing for mental health services to be included in larger humanitarian relief initiatives. My commitment to this cause motivates me to constantly look for opportunities for development and innovation—making sure that the voices of those impacted by crises are recognized and their needs are appropriately supported.