Research and development

Over the years, research became the foundation of our work, allowing us to develop and optimise the implementation of our programmes and activities. We have close links with academic institutions and partners worldwide, contributing to the development of latest scientific knowledge in the field of public health and mental health.

We develop and test the impact of our programmes on the basis of academic research. We search for improvements on how, when and where to offer interventions for the most impact. This allows us to develop effective solutions in our project countries.

A selected list of publications can be found below.

Our research and development (R&D) efforts and programmatic interventions are geared towards the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into the basic package of health services in conflict-affected settings. Mental health and social wellbeing is an important part of individuals being able to cope with and overcome trauma caused by conflict, insecurity, poverty and other humanitarian crises. This is the basis of what we do, and throughout all of our projects we strive to improve the wellbeing and mental health of the people we work with, closing the mental health treatment gap by integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services into basic public health services. Our interventions in the integration of MHPSS has come from years of research, with multiple partners, and our reputation for integration of MHPSS services is recognised by the World Health Organisation and the sector.

What is the Mental Health Treatment Gap?

The mental health treatment gap refers to the ‘gap’ that exists between the need for care, support and treatment, and the capacity of health systems and services to provide it.

Find out how our R&D efforts have contributed to bridging the mental health gap in conflict-affected settings.