Demand for MHPSS in the region is increasing. In addition to the burdens caused by disasters, conflicts and displacement, economic prospects continue to decrease. Despite numerous humanitarian and development-oriented measures, there are too few local and regional options to care for psychosocially distressed groups. In addition, context-adapted knowledge on MHPSS-service delivery for many pressing needs and for marginalized groups is lacking.
Objective: The professional and methodological knowledge of actors working in MHPSS is improved and enables the application of context-, trauma- and gender-sensitive approaches for psychosocially distressed people in the Middle East.
In the cooperation countries Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Türkiye (and indirectly Syria), the regional project supports the professional and methodological knowledge of MHPSS actors and people working in development cooperation. The project focuses on the adaptation of MHPSS approaches and methods to real-life practice and individual contexts.
Working with local civil society organisations, state actors and regional and global networks, the regional project pilots and documents local MHPSS experiences and makes them available to professionals and organisations. Examples of thematic areas include a regional feminist MHPSS approach, creative arts-based approaches for suicide prevention and adapting MHPSS measures to the local context.
Dialogue and networks also enable local, regional and international MHPSS actors to exchange good practices.
The project also raises awareness for MHPSS and MHPSS-informed project design and implementation among development cooperation actors through advisory services and participatory development of guidelines. Main-streaming MHPSS in development cooperation measures of different sectors contributes to increasing their impact. In addition to this, the project uses the knowledge generated to advise the BMZ to position the topic of MHPSS on agendas and in forums.