Improving humanitarian assistance across sectors through mental health and psychosocial support
Programmes should consider the social and psychological implications of what, how, when and to whom aid is delivered
Abstract
To date, there are few examples documenting the implementation of integrated efforts; however, guidelines exist for a range of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities specific to humanitarian settings that are accessible to non-specialised providers. Efforts to develop and evaluate potentially scalable interventions (i.e., interventions requiring fewer resources than traditional evidence-based mental health interventions) that may be prime candidates for integration into multi-sectoral programmes are also under way. At the very least, programmes should consider the social and psychological implications of what, how, when and to whom aid is delivered, and design activities in a way that promotes wellbeing for all beneficiaries in humanitarian settings.
This paper is part of a special edition of ‘Humanitarian Exchange’, co-edited with Anne Harmer, Manager of Elrha’s Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme, focusing on mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian crises
Citation
M. Greene, S. Likindikoki, J. Mbwambo, W. Tol (2018) Improving humanitarian assistance across sectors through mental health and psychosocial support in Humanitarian Exchange No 72 July 2018, p 5-8. London: Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) Overseas Development Institute
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