How do you think UN personnel mental health compares to that of the general population?

The Major Depressive Disorder prevalence in the general population is 4.4% (WHO 2017), while in the UN it is:
a. About the same, around 5%
b. The double, approximately 10 %
c. Much higher, over 20%

The answer is unfortunately (c), coming to a total of 22.78%.
The UN Staff Wellbeing Survey Data report (2017) indicates similar results for General Anxiety Disorder, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Hazardous drinking.

The mental health both of UN personnel and their loved ones can be affected by several factors: high-risk work environments, relocations, heavy workloads, and separation family and partners. Contrary to popular belief, this is not only true for internationals working in hardship duty stations, as ‘nationals’ and employees in HQs are at similar risk.

Building our resilience and our capacity to bounce back when facing adversity, is crucial in our sector. So how can we do that? Can our organizations help?

Research shows that the quality of our personal relationships is one of the primary factors associated with resilience. Missions, rotations, and frequent moves with or without the immediate family can challenge those relationships. In addition, the very specific sector we work in can make it difficult over time to connect with those not sharing similar experiences. Data demonstrates that the longer you’ve been working in the UN and the higher your grade, the higher the risk for your mental health.

Following a study on family needs in 2019, WFP created a Family Liaison Officer position within the Staff Counseling team to develop programs supporting families’ wellbeing and provide family-related psychosocial support. Quickly, requests from all over the world skyrocketed and the need for global and local psychosocial support networks became evident. In the spring of 2021, the FLOCK was born.

FLOCK (Family Liaison Outreach Community – with or without Kids), is a psychosocial program. It aims to strengthen families and communities in the organization to prevent, protect and promote mental health and wellbeing. It builds on extensive research demonstrating the impact positive relationships have on resilience, mental health, and overall health. Through the creation of global and local networks for WFP personnel and their family members and the facilitation of a range of psychosocial activities through these communities, the FLOCK aims at mitigating psychosocial risks linked to working for the UN. Started by WFP, then piloted in specific countries with three other UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF and IOM), FLOCK has demonstrated high potential for supporting personnel and families in the UN system while rationalizing costs. Stéphanie Séraphin, a member of staff based in Haiti, explains that “Burnout and depression are generally a problem within institutions, but also a taboo. FLOCK helps to have the courage and determination to face them, to talk about them and to fight them. Each institution needs a similar space in order to contribute to the well-being of an entire community.”

Family Liaison is included in the UN Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy scorecard, which all UN entities have to report on by the end of 2024. With almost 3000 people registered on the mailing list, over 5700 participants to global activities in 2023 and 650 volunteers worldwide, FLOCK is proving to be a successful and cost-effective way to provide that psychosocial support to families.

Nathalie Klein, an international staff member who was previously based in Sudan with her children says that, “As humanitarians… it can be very difficult to support each other or find a caring space. FLOCK provides that. It brings us all together, in such a kind, caring way, that welcomes everyone as they are, nurturing human connections and offering a safe space to release the stress and the pain, and even, find some joy together.”

But what does FLOCK do?

Rita Amure, Senior HR Business Partner for WFP South Sudan, explains: “FLOCK plays an integral role in strengthening employee engagement in WFP’s diverse and globally dispersed workforce. It creates a sense of belonging where employees can share similar challenges and experiences whilst learning from one another and through this, they form connections in the workplace.

The FLOCK program provides a variety of employee subgroups where most employees can find commonality. I participated in the ‘Global Families Thrive’ FLOCK session to share [my] story through eight reassignments, three teenagers, and a spouse, simply to inspire others in their career journey, and share lessons learned. Groups like FLOCK provide a crucially needed employee support platform.”

FLOCK intervenes in three main areas.

The worldwide network allows personnel and families to connect, share information, and support each other across borders. It organizes a range of activities, seminars and workshops on topics relevant to families in our line of work. We often have internal or external experts as keynote speakers for our events.

The local FLOCKs are created at the country level. Currently, 31 countries have active FLOCKs, nine of which with other UN agencies. Each local FLOCK is unique, developing support systems and activities relevant to the local context and specific needs, including in Non-Family Duty Stations. Ilirjana Nichols is a WFP spouse, who has accompanied her husband around the globe for over 20 years with their six children. “Volunteering for FLOCK, our collective objective was to provide support, foster social connections, and instill inspiration within our community, particularly during challenging periods in Sudan. I firmly believe that FLOCK plays a crucial role in facilitating a more manageable and comfortable mission life for all involved.”

Bulbul Ahmned, national staff member based in Bangladesh, writes: “In Bangladesh, we had a really unexpected unrest situation, we were all tense and traumatized. Having a local FLOCK helped us a lot! To support our children during this period, we planned a special online event, called ‘Express Your Feelings with Colours’ as a fun activity. It provided a creative space for children and our families to express their emotions through different activities like drawing, art, writing poems, sharing ideas, etc.”

Peer Support Groups can be local or global. They meet regularly offering a safe space to connect and exchange on a specific topic (breastfeeding, distance parenting, healthy masculinities, LGBTQI+, parenting teenagers, loss…). Frances Knight, an international staff member in the Italy HQ and one of the volunteer leaders of the Breastfeeding group comments:

“I joined when I was newly back to work after maternity leave and being part of something that put me in contact with others in a similar situation has really helped me. Connecting with women in Kapoeta, Dili, Johannesburg, Sana’a, Cairo or Ouagodougou over a similar lived experience and feeling that we are not only able to support each other, but contribute in small ways to a more inclusive and supportive workplace, is encouraging.” Aristide Aubin Bawa, who is a national staff member and participates in the Parenting From a Distance group adds: “I work in a field duty station in CAR, far from my children. Since I’ve started participating in the FLOCK sessions, there’s been a clear improvement in my relationship with my family.”

Chelsa Minganodji (national staff member, Tchad) summarizes the work and impact of FLOCK as the following: “Being part of FLOCK is the best thing that could ever happen, because finding a balance between work, family and friendships can be difficult. Strong, healthy relationships are crucial to my/our well-being. FLOCK provides unwavering support and access to seminars and global activities, as well as local events (with and without children). Make new friends, have fun and take care of your mental health while helping others!”