Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Certified Professional™ (MHPSS-CP™) Course
Mental, neurological, and substance abuse (MNS) disorders account for an increasing proportion of the global burden of disease. On average globally, less than one mental health worker per 10,000 people; in low- and middle-income countries, many rates are much lower. (WHO). These statistics reference the availability of care for individuals diagnosed with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions. What about the millions of individuals globally that do not meet the clinical definitions on MNS, but in need of mental health support?
Guided by lessons from COVID-19, globally accepted competencies and the disproportionate vulnerabilities faced by women, the Women's Wellness Institute aims to narrow the gap in qualified mental health professionals and strengthen global mental health and wellness service delivery outside of clinical settings, with a focus on women and girls across life stages.
The MHPSS-CP™ ™ course utilizes a public health approach to strengthen the capacity of multisectoral professionals—including Public Health practitioners, Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®), and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®) Human Resource professionals—to deliver integrated and sustainable mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. Grounded in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency and Non-Emergency Settings, this affordable 40-hour training bridges global MHPSS standards with professional competencies in health education and workplace practice.
The MHPSS-CP™ is a globally recognized training and certification course designed to prepare multisectoral practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to deliver high-quality, evidence-based MHPSS and wellness interventions with and for women and girls; and diverse settings in global contexts. It brings together multisectoral professionals, strategic thinkers, policymakers, academics, and researchers to offer a comprehensive training, professional development, and education continuum. The MHPSS-CP™ course addresses training and education gaps and elevating the MHPSS field as an important and recognized global profession.
Course Rationale
Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing are increasingly recognized as essential components of global health, humanitarian response, and sustainable development. Yet, a significant workforce gap persists, particularly in low-resource and crisis-affected settings. The MHPSS-CP™ course responds to this urgent need by preparing a cadre of skilled practitioners who can strengthen resilience, promote recovery, and ensure continuity of care in both emergency and non-emergency environments.
Course Competencies
Learners who successfully complete the MHPSS-CP™ course will be able to:
- Design and develop a sector specific MHPSS integration program.
- Apply the IASC MHPSS intervention pyramid to design layered, multisectoral responses to psychosocial needs.
- Deliver trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and rights-based support at individual, family, and community levels.
- Collaborate across health, education, protection, and social service sectors to integrate MHPSS into existing systems.
- Implement strategies for crisis response, community resilience, and long-term mental health system strengthening.
- Lead program development, training, and evaluation within the expanding MHPSS field.
Target Audience
The MHPSS-CP™ certification is suitable for multisectoral professionals working in careers including, but not limited to:
- Public Health
- Human Resources
- Mental Health and Wellness Consultants
- Healthcare Delivery
- Humanitarian Aid
- Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Community Health Workers
- Correctional Workers
- Emergency Management
- SGBV Response
- HIV Response
- Education
- Children and Youth Services and Protection
- Social Work
- Community Development
- Organizational Developoment
- Life Coaches
Course Format
The course is delivered as a 40-hour intensive training combining theory, interactive workshops, experiential learning, applied case studies, and reflective practice. Post-training, learners receive 20 hours of mentorship and professional support for applied learning and application of specialized competencies.
Certification
Upon successful completion, learners who successfully complete the course will earn the MHPSS Practitioner certificate of completion and applicable CPD and CEUs signifying expertise advanced competence in providing integrative and evidence-based mental health and psychosocial support. Graduates join a global professional network of MHPSS professionals and gain access to continuing education opportunities through the Women’s Wellness Institute.
Next Cohort Registration Opens Soon!
Disclaimer: The MHPSS-CP™ course is designed to build capacity for providing trauma-informed, empathetic, and context-sensitive psychosocial support across diverse settings. It equips participants with practical tools to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into their professional roles, strengthen community resilience, and promote holistic wellbeing—before, during, and after emergencies. The MHPSS-CP course is designed to enhance your knowledge, skills, and professional practice in mental health and wellness.
The MHPSS-CP™ course is NOT intended for use in clinical assessments, diagnosis, or treatment of mental, neurological, or substance use (MNS) conditions, nor are they a substitute for any required educational, licensure, or certification requirements in your field.