MHPSS Counsellor (Psychologist)

Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main accountabilities:

Carrying out evaluation of mental health needs of patients and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment. Informing the patient and his/her relatives about the possible consequences of the illness and the drug treatment to follow and referring patients to other health professionals whenever necessary, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient's condition.

Providing psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) to patients according to MSF protocols in order to improve their mental health conditions.

Assisting and training staff members and resourceful people whenever necessary in order to enhance the scope of MH activities. Working in close collaboration with translators in order to ensure appropriate terminology and behaviour during sessions.

Collecting statistical and monitoring data about mental health activities

Informing the supervisor and the medical team about any issues or problems that may arise related to patients treatment in order to provide the best possible solution from a medical perspective.

Ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential.

Clinical Assessment & Psychosocial Support:

• Assess patients psychosocial needs using MSF approved tools, applying age-appropriate language and approaches for children, adolescents, and adults.
• Provide in-clinic quality, safe, and evidence-based psychosocial group sessions, as well as individual and family psychological sessions, following MSF protocols, to support patients and their families in adapting to the consequences of a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis improving adherence to the medical treatment plan.
• Deliver community-based psychosocial sessions according to MSF protocols, with the aim of reducing stigma, raising awareness, and strengthening community understanding of mental health and Type 1 diabetes.
• Identify cases needing advanced psychological or psychiatric care and make internal or external referrals following Formal referral pathways.
• Conduct risk assessments (e.g., suicide risk, self-harm, protection concerns) and implement appropriate safety plans.

Monitoring, Documentation & Data Collection

• Maintain clear, concise, and up-to-date patient files and Mental Health data base following MSF standards.
• Ensure strict adherence to MSF and partner organization confidentiality policies and patient rights in all documentation, case discussions, and multidisciplinary team meetings.

Collaboration & Coordination

• Participate in the capacity building of other project teams, community members, and relevant stakeholders on mental health topics related to T1DM and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Actively contribute to case discussions, multidisciplinary meetings, and other collaborative spaces within the Mental Health/PSS team and across project teams.

Work closely with the PSEC (Patient Education and Counselling) team and HP( Health Promotion team) to ensure coordinated and optimal delivery of mental health group sessions within the clinic and community settings.