A manual for psychological and psychosocial interventions accessible to all

Mental health: An invisible emergency in humanitarian crises

Conflicts, forced displacement, climate disasters: these crises do not only destroy infrastructure, they shatter lives. Behind hunger and loss of resources lies a silent suffering: psychological distress, trauma, social isolation. These impacts weaken individuals and communities, undermine resilience, and exacerbate inequalities. Yet, mental health is still too often relegated to the background of humanitarian responses.

At Action Against Hunger, we affirm that mental health is a fundamental right. It must be integrated into every humanitarian response. It is with this perspective that we publish the Manual of psychological and psychosocial interventions, a strategic and technical framework to act effectively, ethically, and with cultural relevance.

A framework for adapted and inclusive interventions

This manual proposes a holistic approach that views mental health as a continuum, ranging from mental conditions to positive mental health. It is built on three pillars:

• Evidence-based interventions, scientifically validated and adapted to local contexts.
• Community engagement, to co-create responses with affected populations and value local knowledge.
• Integration of experiential knowledge, involving people with lived experience of mental health issues in the design and evaluation of services.

These pillars are deployed through four complementary approaches: integrative psychology, socio-ecology, public health, and human rights with an intersectional perspective. This combination ensures interventions that are effective, inclusive, and respectful of dignity.

Concrete tools for action in the field

The manual details the key steps to design and implement interventions:

• Assess needs and resources in compliance with ethical standards.
• Define objectives: reduce distress, strengthen resilience, restore dignity.
• Select interventions and adapt them to the cultural context.
• Organize implementation: individual or group formats, in-person or remote, integrated with existing services.
• Plan monitoring and evaluation to measure impact and improve quality.

The manual includes a comprehensive toolbox: psychological protocols (EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, stress management, group therapies) and psychosocial interventions (peer support groups, youth-friendly spaces, parenting support, psychomotor stimulation). It also integrates WHO-validated protocols (PM+, SH+, Thinking Healthy, EASE, Psychological First Aid).

Train, Supervise, Protect

The quality of interventions depends on the competence and well-being of teams. The manual emphasizes:

• Competency-based training.
• Regular clinical supervision, both individual and group.
• Team support to prevent cumulative stress, secondary trauma, and burnout.

Measure, Learn, Advocate

We propose a robust monitoring and evaluation framework: activity, outcome, and impact indicators; adapted verification methods; data collection before, during, and after interventions. Beyond quality control, we encourage operational research to improve practices and influence public policies. Finally, this manual is part of a broader strategy: strengthening mental health systems, building sustainable partnerships with local and international actors, and advocating for full recognition of mental health in humanitarian action.