Shaping the future: Our strategy for research and innovation in humanitarian response.

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Overview

Humanitarian crises are often associated with significant psychological and social suffering. It is now recognised that the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) should form a key component of humanitarian health response. To support the identification of evidence-informed solutions, MHPSS research in humanitarian settings has grown since the 1990s, with increasing attention paid to the development and delivery of appropriate, effective, and adaptable interventions and support systems (Anthrologica, 2020; Tol et al, 2020). 

Recognising the diverse MHPSS needs in humanitarian settings, and the growth in delivery of MHPSS programmes, efforts have been taken to refine a research agenda that is responsive to the needs of different population groups as well as the humanitarian practitioners providing services. Following a first research priority setting exercise conducted in 2011 (Tol et al, 2011), Elrha commissioned a second review in 2021 to establish an MHPSS research agenda for the next ten years.

The findings of MHPSS-SET2 are presented in an interactive table below. This visualisation presents the top 20 research questions as aggregated across groups. These 20 questions can be reordered by professional category, gender, or region of work using the below filters.

Top 20 priority questions for MHPSS research in humanitarian settings

This work was commissioned by Elrha, conducted by researchers at HealthRight International, delivered under the auspices of the IASC Reference Group for MHPSS, and steered by a Funding & Policy Council comprising funders and policy leaders in the field of MHPSS. To access the full report, including the detailed methodology, please visit elrha.org.

This data visualisation presents the top 20 priority questions for MHPSS research in humanitarian settings, following a multi-stage consultation with MHPSS researchers, practitioners and policymakers. The questions can be reordered by professional category, gender, or region of work using the below filters.

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Research Question Significance Answerability Applicability Average

This work was commissioned by Elrha, conducted by researchers at HealthRight International, and delivered under the auspices of the IASC Reference Group for MHPSS.

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Anne Harmer

Head of R2HC, Elrha

We hope the identified priorities will guide the focus of mental health and psychosocial support research over the next 10 years, providing evidence to inform MHPSS practice and support people whose mental health has been affected by crises.

View the full report, and a detailed methodology

Supported and endorsed by the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, the MHPSS Research Priority Setting 2021 – 2030 (MHPSS-SET2) was commissioned and funded by Elrha’s Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) programme. Applying the established CHNRI methodology, the priority setting was conducted by HealthRight International and steered by a Funding & Policy Council comprising funders and policy leaders in the field of MHPSS. A Scientific Practice and Advisory Board guided the methodology.

View the full report

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