The first activities of the Strengthening Community Wellbeing and Social Inclusion in South Maldives Project have been completed in Addu City and Addu Hulhudhoo marking an important early milestone in MRC's work to build community-based psychosocial support capacity across the southern Maldives.
In Addu City, 22 volunteers completed a two-day Psychological First Aid (PFA) training, the first of three island trainings to be delivered under the Project. Psychological First Aid equips volunteers with the practical skills to recognise distress, offer compassionate support, and connect people to further help where needed. Through a combination of theory, practical sessions, and scenario-based exercises, participants applied their learning in realistic situations , building the confidence and capability to support those around them when it matters most.
In Addu Hulhudhoo, 24 participants took part in a community mental health awareness session delivered in partnership with the Women's Development Committee. The session opened conversations about wellbeing, addressing stigma, connection, support, and looking after one another, rather than illness or diagnosis. Partnering with the Women's Development Committee was central to this approach, bringing relationships and trust that MRC alone does not hold in Hulhudhoo.
In Addu Hulhudhoo, 24 participants took part in a community mental health awareness session delivered in partnership with the Women's Development Committee. Structured around a combination of information sharing, open discussion, and practical guidance, the session created a space where community members could engage with the topic of mental health and wellbeing in an accessible and non-stigmatising way.
The session aimed to normalise conversations around mental health, equip participants with basic knowledge on recognising signs of distress in those around them, and strengthen the community's overall capacity to provide peer support. Partnering with the Women's Development Committee was central to this approach, bringing relationships and trust that MRC alone does not hold in Hulhudhoo.
MRC extends its appreciation to the volunteer trainers who led these sessions with dedication and care, to every participant who engaged openly and contributed to making these activities a success, and to the Women's Development Committee of Addu Hulhudhoo for their partnership and the trust they bring to this work. Together, these efforts reflect what community-based support looks like in practice, people showing up for one another, and investing in the wellbeing of those around them.