The third specialised training programme, “Community-Based Crisis Interventions”, will begin on 17 September 2026 as part of the project “Think of the Child: Together for the Mental Health of Every Child”, implemented by BHIDAPA in partnership with UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with financial support from the European Union and in cooperation with the relevant ministries.
The specialised training programmes were developed on the basis of findings from research conducted in 2025. A total of 466 questionnaires were collected, of which 462 were valid: 182 completed by children and young people and 280 by professionals from the education, health and social protection sectors.
The findings highlighted the need to further strengthen knowledge and practical skills in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), establish clearer coordination and referral mechanisms, enhance multi-sectoral cooperation, and provide continuous professional support to those working with children, young people and families.
The research findings, the voices of children and young people, the experiences of professionals, and recommendations for further system development were presented at the “Think of the Child” Conference and brought together in the publication “Think of the Child: Together for the Mental Health of Every Child”, available in:
From Research to Practice
During 2026, four training cycles were delivered through two specialised training programmes:
- “Supporting Children and Young People During and After a Crisis”
- “Trauma-Informed and Developmentally Sensitive Approaches”
Across the four cycles, a total of 281 professionals from the education, health and social protection sectors, as well as civil society organisations throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, actively participated. Their participation demonstrates the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and young people.
Both training programmes were led by Prof. Gordana Buljan Flander, PhD, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with extensive experience in child protection, trauma, and the mental health of children and young people.
The programmes covered the recognition of crisis and emergency situations, understanding children’s and young people’s responses, the consequences of traumatic experiences, regulation and co-regulation, and the application of safe, ethical, trauma-informed and developmentally sensitive approaches in professional practice.
These activities strengthened the competencies of professionals who, in accordance with their roles and responsibilities, provide focused non-specialised support and specialised services within the mental health and psychosocial support system (MHPSS). They also supported the development of shared professional language, a clearer understanding of roles, and stronger links between the different levels of the layered MHPSS system.
Further information about the implementation, results, evaluation and participants’ experiences is available in the accompanying reports and materials:
- Supporting Children and Young People During and After a Crisis – Report | Video
- Trauma-Informed and Developmentally Sensitive Approaches
Community-Based Crisis Interventions
The third specialised training programme, “Community-Based Crisis Interventions”, will be delivered from 17 September to 21 November 2026, through work in one large group and two smaller groups:
- 17–19 September 2026 – large group
- 22–24 October 2026 – first small group
- 19–21 November 2026 – second small group
The first part of the programme comprises a 23-hour introductory seminar on psychological crisis interventions, designed to build knowledge and practical skills in the following areas:
- stressful and traumatic events and their consequences;
- crisis as a psychological state;
- the organisation of psychological crisis interventions;
- the facilitation of group and individual psychological crisis interventions.
The training is designed to strengthen the core competencies of professionals who provide children, young people and families with focused non-specialised support and specialised MHPSS services in crisis and emergency situations.
Particular attention will be given to understanding the roles of different sectors and levels of professional support within the layered MHPSS system, establishing clear referral pathways, and strengthening multi-sectoral coordination. The aim is to support responses to crises and traumatic events that are timely, safe, ethical, and guided by the rights, needs and best interests of the child.
The training will be led by:
- Prof. Lidija Arambašić, PhD, a psychologist and psychotherapist specialising in clinical and health psychology, with extensive professional, teaching and research experience in psychological crisis interventions, stress, trauma, loss and bereavement;
- Bruna Profaca, PhD, Associate Professor, a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with children, young people and families, particularly in the areas of trauma, child and adolescent mental health, and counselling in complex family and institutional contexts.
Agenda for the First Part of the Training – Large Group
Information Package for Participants
As an integral part of the learning process, the programme also includes reflective supervision, facilitated by Tanja Tankosić Girt, a psychologist and psychotherapist. Reflective supervision enables participants to connect newly acquired knowledge with their professional experience and contributes to the quality of practice, professional ethics and the well-being of professionals.
Project Team
Training coordination and organisational support are provided by Dželila Mulić Čorbo, a psychologist and psychotherapist with experience in child protection systems and multi-sectoral cooperation.
Operational and logistical support is provided by Adi Grebović, BA in Economics, Project Administrative Assistant.
The project is led by Mirela Badurina, PhD, psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor, founder and director of BHIDAPA, with extensive experience in developing training programmes, support systems and projects in the field of child and adolescent mental health.
Partnership for a Stronger Support System
We extend our particular appreciation to UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina, our partner in the implementation of the project, for its trust, continuous technical support and shared commitment to advancing the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and young people.
We thank the relevant ministries in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina for their continued cooperation, institutional support and contribution to establishing the multi-sectoral group for the third specialised training programme.
We also thank all participating professionals whose engagement, knowledge and experience contribute to the development of a coordinated, trauma-informed and developmentally sensitive system of support for children, young people and families.
Through shared learning and multi-sectoral cooperation, we continue to strengthen capacities for developing an accessible, coordinated and layered MHPSS system that provides children, young people and families with timely and appropriate support – from basic services and community support to focused non-specialised support and specialised mental health services.
