Mental Health
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Over recent years the mental, emotional and psychosocial impacts on people affected by disaster and poverty have become an increasing area of focus. Naturally, World Vision strongly advocates for meeting the physical, familial and environmental needs of people; however, it is now well established that the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) of adults and children affected by crisis and poverty is an important consideration for their holistic wellbeing and World Vision’s work.
Mental health and psychosocial well-being allow a person to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to his or her family and community. It is a crucial element in poverty reduction, peacebuilding, addressing gender-based violence and recovery from disasters.
World Vision's Strategic Intent
To use our global reach and grassroots connections to ensure that the impact of conflict, disaster, climate change, pandemics like COVID-19, and other drivers of poverty do not leave the most vulnerable children and families with moderate or severe mental health disorders that can affect their everyday life and future well-being.
Our Impact
Featured Project Models
- Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS): In humanitarian emergencies, children benefit from psychosocial activities that help foster normalcy and prevent distress from developing into more severe conditions.
- Problem Management Plus (PM+): An individual and group intervention aiming to help adults improve their management of practical and common mental health problems.
- Go Baby Go (GBG): Strengthens the knowledge of caregivers, their competencies, skills, confidence and well-being.
- Psychological First Aid (PFA): PFA is a humane, supportive response to someone who is suffering, experiencing distress and needing support.
- Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP): A guideline for mental, neurological and substance use disorders and frontline management recommendations for non-specialist healthcare providers.
- Basic Psychosocial Support (PSS) in education: Comprises basic PFA skills, creative tools for stress management, and an overview of important life skills for pupils and educators.
Integrated Approach: CHWs Tackle Mental Health Problems in Kenya
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