What is mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)?

Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) includes any support that people receive to protect or promote their mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

One major component of MHPSS is treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MHPSS and wellbeing

However, there is far more to MHPSS than that. It also includes support for people’s general psychosocial wellbeing. Helping people connect with other family and community members, or helping them deal more effectively with personal challenges or practical problems, can have great benefits in reducing their distress and suffering.

Forms of MHPSS

MHPSS may come from within or outside people’s communities. It may be provided by professional specialists or others. It can take many forms, depending on people’s needs and on what services are available.

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Image: ©Mickael Franci / Cordaid
Psychosocial support in Iraq.