Competency-based training and supervision in group problem management plus in the Kurdistan region of Iraq

Group Problem Management Plus (gPM+) is a scalable psychological intervention designed to be delivered by non-specialist mental health workers and has been widely implemented in humanitarian contexts. As part of the ongoing process of integrating refugees into routine national care systems, competency-based training and supervision were implemented in Duhok, within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Twelve participants from the Directorate General of Health (DoH), working in Syrian refugee camps, took part in a seven-day training programme, followed by supportive supervision over a six-month period. The programme aimed to enhance participants' skills in delivering the group intervention to individuals experiencing psychological distress.

The training programme consisted of a seven-day (56 hours), structured in-person course combining theoretical input, demonstration, and intensive role-play practice, followed by a six-month supervision (30 hours) phase that included regular group supervision sessions and individual on-site coaching focused on real-life implementation challenges. Individual and group-level competency improvements were assessed using the EQUIP (Ensuring Quality in Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care) methodology, which provides a structured approach to monitoring and tracking participants' progress in facilitation and intervention skills, enabling trainers to identify skill gaps and tailor supervision sessions effectively. This was supplemented by qualitative evaluations from both participants and trainers.

Participants showed notable reductions in harmful behaviours and improvements in competencies. Supervision sessions and role-playing exercises further reinforced learning and skill application. Participants also reported increased confidence, with feedback highlighting the value of problem-solving strategies and coping techniques.

EQUIP proved effective in monitoring and guiding improvements among non-specialist staff delivering psychological interventions. The EQUIP platform may serve as a valuable tool for strengthening mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) training and interventions, and for facilitating the integration of programmes developed in humanitarian contexts into routine systems of care in low-resource settings.