Global Expert Consultation on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

During October and November, UNDP hosted a series of regional consultations on SparkBlue and Zoom as part of the ongoing process of developing a guidance note on integrating mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) into peacebuilding. Close to 100 practitioners participated in the consultations, most of which represented civil society organizations from across Africa, Central Asia, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The richness of the discussions and inputs collected will inform the guidance by expanding on why integration is important and relevant, how it can be operationalized and, most importantly, what context-specific nuances should be considered.

While the qualitative data from these significant sessions is still being analysed and written up for inclusion in the guidance note, a few key themes have already emerged:

  • Participants referred extensively to the need for enhanced advocacy and awareness raising about the necessity for integration aimed at donors, policy makers and government referring to the notion that ‘there can be no peace, without peace of mind’.
  • In all regions, reference was made to the need to prioritise the welfare of the actors involved in developing and implementing peacebuilding work. As one participant said, ‘selfcare is other care’.
  • Participants also emphasised the need to be aware of the contextually available and relevant cultural, religious and traditional beliefs and structures that should be harnessed to strengthen the integration of the fields under the guise of ‘building on what is’.
  • A further recurring theme related to the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework and the identification of joint indicators of success.

     

For more details, visit the consultation space or reach out to Nika Saeedi ([email protected]) and Gitte Nordentoft ([email protected]

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