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Review
. 2023 Jun;11(6):e969-e975.
doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00128-6. Epub 2023 Apr 25.

Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: research priorities for 2021-30

Wietse A Tol  1 , PhuongThao D Le  2 , Sarah L Harrison  3 , Ananda Galappatti  4 , Jeannie Annan  5 , Florence K Baingana  6 , Theresa S Betancourt  7 , Cecile Bizouerne  8 , Julian Eaton  9 , Michelle Engels  10 , Zeinab Hijazi  11 , Rebecca R Horn  12 , Mark J D Jordans  13 , Brandon A Kohrt  14 , Phiona Koyiet  15 , Catherine Panter-Brick  16 , Michael Pluess  17 , Atif Rahman  18 , Derrick Silove  19 , Mark Tomlinson  20 , José Miguel Uribe-Restrepo  21 , Peter Ventevogel  22 , Inka Weissbecker  23 , Alastair Ager  24 , Mark van Ommeren  23
Affiliations
Review

Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: research priorities for 2021-30

Wietse A Tol et al. Lancet Glob Health. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

We describe an effort to develop a consensus-based research agenda for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions in humanitarian settings for 2021-30. By engaging a broad group of stakeholders, we generated research questions through a qualitative study (in Indonesia, Lebanon, and Uganda; n=101), consultations led by humanitarian agencies (n=259), and an expert panel (n=227; 51% female participants and 49% male participants; 84% of participants based in low-income and middle-income countries). The expert panel selected and rated a final list of 20 research questions. After rating, the MHPSS research agenda favoured applied research questions (eg, regarding workforce strengthening and monitoring and evaluation practices). Compared with research priorities for the previous decade, there is a shift towards systems-oriented implementation research (eg, multisectoral integration and ensuring sustainability) rather than efficacy research. Answering these research questions selected and rated by the expert panel will require improved partnerships between researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and communities affected by humanitarian crises, and improved equity in funding for MHPSS research in low-income and middle-income countries.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure
Figure
Overview of mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian crises: setting consensus-based research priorities for 2021–30 (MHPSS-SET 2) study design
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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