MSF-Netherlands Peer Support Network
Welcome to the PSN – and remember this acronym!
The Peer Support Network (PSN) is a network of and for MSFers connecting people who have experienced the highs and lows of working with MSF, for an informal conversation.
The aim is to provide support to Internationally Mobile Staff (IMS) before and/or after an assignment. That support is based on dialogue and conversation, outside of the work setting, with another MSFer who has also experienced the highs and lows of being on assignment with MSF.
If you think you would like to support your fellow MSFers, the PSN is always ready to warmly welcome volunteers to join.
What is PSN?
The MSF-NL PSN is a volunteer network of NL-domiciled MSFers, who to reach out to recently returned IMS in order to offer the opportunity to have an informal, confidential conversation about their experiences. The service is not restricted to recently returned staff – any IMS can reach out at any time.
Why Do We Have the PSN?
We know working with MSF is often an intense experience, and returning can be equally intense.
“When I returned from my first assignment, I wanted to talk about it, pretty much like everybody else, talk about what I had seen and what I had done,” explains Corinne Peter, who went to a project with MSF. “But it felt like there weren’t many interested people.”
The aim of the network is to provide support to IMS once they have returned from their assignment with MSF.
Working with MSF may raise personal reflections or difficult questions for some people, and others may want to share the great– or not-so-great – aspects of their work. You might want to talk about what happened but not always know who to talk to. The PSN provides an opportunity to speak, in complete confidentiality, about assignments, life in the projects, and returning home.
Importantly, these conversations are completely separate from your career management or technical debriefings. This is all about peer support!
What Should You Expect From the PSN?
In 2-8 weeks after you return from assignment, a PSN volunteer will call you to check in, and offer you the opportunity to chat about your experiences. This conversation is non-compulsory, and the offer remains open indefinitely, even if you may not want to speak straight away. Any IMS who has returned from, or is still on, assignment can talk to the PSN whenever they are ready.
During the conversation, feel free to express any feelings, concerns, reflections, failures and successes that you would like. The PSN volunteers are there to provide a listening ear, as well as discuss anything you would like to.
PSN volunteers will not share the personal details of the people they call and speak with. If they feel like you might benefit from further support, they may refer you to other services, such as the Staff Health team of Psychosocial Care Unit (PSCU).
Who are the PSN Volunteers?
PSN volunteers are not professional therapists but are MSFers. They provide peer support, based on their own experiences returning to their home countries after an assignment.
The PSN volunteers closely work with the Association and Board Team for planning and with the PSCU for technical support. Necessary trainings are organised for the PSN volunteers on a needs basis.
What do Peer Support Providers do?
- Facilitate peer support and individual/group sessions for returning NL-domiciled IMS.
- Share their experiences to help build rapport and the peer experience and benefits.
- Encourage the returning staff to continue engagement with NL-domiciled MSF staff.
- Provide crisis support when needed.
- Communicate with PSCU therapists as required and bring them to contact with returnees with the full consent of the returning staff. In cases where psychotherapy is needed, the peer support volunteer refers or shares links/contacts for support resources required.
How Can You Reach Out to the PSN?
Whether you are interested to become a PSN volunteer, or you would like to talk to one of the existing volunteers, let the Association team know.