Mental Health, Psychosocial Support

The most vulnerable populations are often the most prone to traumatic shocks.

In the countries where Action contre la Faim teams intervene, malnutrition and hygiene problems, conflicts, natural disasters and climate change inevitably cause serious individual disorders: trauma, depression, stress, complicated bereavements… Added to this is the destabilization of the family unit (break-up of families, loss of the usual family supports…) and more globally of society (transgressions of laws, collective trauma, loss of social cohesion…).

Our mental health programs promote well-being and social links

The most vulnerable populations are often the most prone to traumatic shocks.

In mental health and psychosocial support, we aim to better integrate the human, psychological and cultural dimensions in the causes of undernutrition to better prevent and stem it. Our interventions are varied and adapted to the context, ranging from support for parenthood to behavioral change. In emergency or epidemic situations, psychosocial care for people in distress is essential: our teams work with them to help them regain their resources and be better equipped to face adversity.

In 2023, our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities supported nearly 655,423 people.

Action contre la Faim has over 20 years’ experience in implementing MHPSS programs in fragile contexts in collaboration with local partners.

National strategies aim to progressively realize human rights and achieve, through specific and integrated programs, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

How to intervene in communities?

For Action contre la Faim, undernutrition has multiple causes, including psychological factors and the quality of care provided to pregnant women and very young children. Mental health and psychosocial support teams also have a role to play in undernutrition. Psychosocial and parenting interventions help to combat hunger in the long term and minimize the impact of difficult situations on people’s health.

Speaker groups discussions are organized in our various health centers, and individual support is provided for the most vulnerable. In some cases, relaxation sessions are necessary to reduce anxiety and fear.

For children, group activities, parent-child activities to strengthen family bonds, educational games and psychomotor courses are set up so that they can grow and develop as serenely as possible.