My name is Valentijn Vanrompay and I am from Belgium. As a international UN Volunteer Counselling Psychologist with the Joint Medical Service at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), I stand at the intersection of care and resilience. In a world where crises can unfold without warning, mental health support is more than a service—it is a shared commitment to human dignity. Every session, every act of listening, is part of a larger effort to help colleagues navigate the pressures of demanding environments and emerge stronger.
Since May 2024, I have provided psychological counselling and psychosocial support to UN staff and their families, both virtually and in person. My work spans immediate response—such as psychological first aid, hospital visits, and grief counselling—alongside individual sessions, pre-retirement counselling, and post-mission debriefings.
I also conduct psychosocial needs assessments and offer multicultural counselling for colleagues in Nairobi, field locations, and outposted offices. Collaboration with doctors and nurses ensures mental health is integrated into staff care, making interventions timely and holistic.
Working in such a diverse environment means every session is different, shaped by each colleague’s cultural background, lived experience, and role within the UN system. As JMS Counsellors, we support staff not only in Nairobi but also in field locations, such as Kakuma and Dadaab, and in UN entities across countries in the wider region.
To reach colleagues wherever they are based, we offer both in-person and online sessions. Confidentiality remains central, creating safe spaces for colleagues to explore challenges and build coping strategies. Sessions are private and remain separate from administrative or managerial reporting lines, and no information is shared without the staff member’s consent, except in rare situations when there is a threat or risk to the life of the client or a third party. It is important that staff know that they can seek support without fear of judgment or professional repercussions.
Beyond individual support, I lead psychoeducational sessions on resilience, mindfulness, and burnout awareness, and introduced initiatives like “Mindful Wednesdays” and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction workshops. These practices help staff manage stress and foster healthy workplace relationships.
Our work also extends to coordinating medical evacuations from crisis zones and disaster areas. These situations often involve colleagues who have faced traumatic events, sudden displacement, or significant loss, which can leave them vulnerable to acute stress reactions or other mental health challenges.
Guided by the UN Mental Health and Well-being Strategy and the World Health Organization, we aim to prevent risks, promote well-being, and support staff with mental health conditions. Participating colleagues often describe how helpful it is to pause and step back from daily pressures during such sessions, and many share positive feedback about gaining a clearer understanding of mental health and available support.
This work can be challenging, especially while navigating high workloads and sensitive cases. I sustain my well-being by staying connected to my social support network, drawing on peer support, and practising the same grounding techniques I teach to others.
Looking ahead, a key challenge will be sustaining staff well-being during ongoing organizational changes with the UN, while an important opportunity lies in further integrating mental health practices into everyday team life so that support becomes part of the culture rather than a separate service.
The element of volunteerism means this role is not only about delivering professional services but also about standing alongside colleagues with a sense of shared responsibility and care. It shapes how I approach the work each day, with a focus on connection, presence, and contributing to an environment where people can feel supported as they carry out demanding responsibilities.
Even small acts of care can help sustain those who drive global change, and we should remind ourselves that our work is carried out by people who need space to pause, recover, and regain their strength. Honouring that humanity is what sustains our purpose together.