SAATHI Program- Successful Completion of 12-Day Training for Peer Advocates

SAATHI program focuses on preventing violence and promoting mental well-being among the LGBTIQA+ population in Nepal. It offers peer-led counseling and support tailored to the LGBTIQA+ community’s unique experiences and challenges. To refer to the program concisely, the term ‘SAATHI’—meaning “peer” or “friend” in Nepali—will be used. In this program, the SAATHI intervention will be delivered by trained LGBTIQA+ peers to support fellow community members. The term ‘SAATHI’ is also intended to represent the core values of the program: Support, Advocacy, and Awareness for Trauma, Healing, and Inclusion.

Peer Advocates are at the heart of the SAATHI program, providing frontline mental health support and linking LGBTIQA+ individuals to appropriate care. A total of 28 Peer Advocates were trained in Square Hotel, Pulchowk Lalitpur; Nepal, through an interactive program designed to build confidence, strengthen counseling skills, and ensure ethical and client-centered engagement. The sessions were facilitated by mental health and public health experts from PERC and other organizations, as well as community leaders from the Blue Diamond Society (BDS).

Through group work, discussions, and role-plays, Peer Advocates were equipped to provide informed, compassionate, and ethical support within their communities.

Training participants engaged in group discussions, preparing to share insights on the diverse experiences related to LGBTIQA+ issues.

Peer Advocates engage in a shared learning session, discussing real-life scenarios related to mental health and violence, alongside BDS leader Pinky Gurung.

Groups presented their findings from the discussions, highlighting key points and shared experiences.

Participants practiced slow breathing techniques as part of the training activities.

PERC would like to thank all the participants and facilitators for making this training a resounding success and SAATHI program is a milestone effort aimed to address experience of violence and improve mental health well being among marginalized and hidden communities in Nepal.