Jounieh: The UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) and the Embassy of Japan, launched the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Program from the Green Demonstration Room at the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD) in Jounieh.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the multi-faceted program aims to support students and teachers affected by multiple crises, ensuring a safe learning environment by promoting mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, fostering resilience, and ensuring learning continuity in Lebanese schools. The initiative will impact 10,000 students across 50 public schools by providing tailored psychosocial support to strengthen both learning continuity and emotional recovery. UNESCO is assisting CERD in developing age-appropriate materials for primary students and training teachers to integrate psychosocial support in their teaching routines. This initiative equips educators with the necessary tools to support learners affected by trauma and simultaneously reinforces their own well-being.
The program also introduces innovative methods for healing and social cohesion. Through orchestral workshops and performances with Beirut Chants El-Sistema, students from crisis-affected, marginalized, and low-income communities are offered opportunities for self-expression and creative engagement. In parallel, environmental activities at the National Green Demonstration Room provide interdisciplinary learning experiences connecting art, music, science, and sustainability. This approach emphasizes the importance of healthy bodies in fostering healthy minds and promoting social cohesion, enhancing students' mental health and their sense of connection to their communities.
In the context of this program, the launch highlights the commitment of all partners to ensuring quality education and well-being for students and teachers in Lebanon. H.E. Dr. Rima Karmi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, underscored the broader vision behind the initiative, aligning with Vision 2030 for quality education.
Maysoun Chehab from the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut emphasized the importance of supporting students' and teachers' well-being for learning continuity and inclusive education. H.E. Mr. MAGOSHI Masayuki, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon, reinforced the role of education as a lifeline, highlighting its power to restore dignity and build peace.
This program exemplifies the collaboration between UNESCO, MEHE, and the Government of Japan to enhance the Lebanese education system and safeguard the well-being of its students and teachers. It reaffirms a long-term commitment to ensuring every child and educator in Lebanon can learn, heal, and thrive.