Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services
In the 21st century, violence and conflict remain a reality in many parts of the world. Mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) as a response to this reality have become a vital instrument in addressing the consequences of violence and conflict. At CSVR, we engage in adopting a MHPSS lens to address the consequences of violence and conflict through our direct and indirect services to affected individuals, families and communities to promote their mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. Our MHPSS intervention responses are informed by research gathered on the ground, reflecting on the lived experiences of victims and their contextual realities and rehabilitation needs.
Addressing the psychosocial components of
Reparation of victims
Addressing the psychosocial components of reparation of victims
Community mobilisation, social cohesion and peacebuilding initiatives
Designing and implementing capacity-building workshops and trainings for organisations
Increasing access to MHPSS
Psychological counselling services (face-to-face or online)
Peer supervision support and mentorship
In partnership with various organisations,
such as the Global Initiative for Justice, Truth and Reconciliation and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, and with donor support from USAID and Dignity, we are currently involved in the following programmes and projects:
With donor support from USAID and Dignity, the focus of this project is to provide MHPSS to victims who have experienced torture, human rights violations and forced migration. The impacts of these experiences are diverse and include biological, psychological and social dimensions. MHPSS interventions include direct psychological support, as well as supporting frontline workers to assist victims through capacity-building and training workshops.
We are part of a global consortium of partners under the International Coalition of Sites of Consciousness, working towards providing MHPSS to victims, frontline workers and organisations on the ground in conflict and post conflict zones. Providing capacity building and training workshops as well peer mentorship and support to promote access to MHPSS and peacebuilding.
In partnership with the Ford Foundation, we provide support to women in leadership positions to promote mental health awareness and wellbeing.
With donor support from USAID and Dignity, we aim to raise awareness around mental health issues in communities by providing platforms for information sharing, dialogue and collaboration. This is done through campaigns such as the Mental Health Imbizo held annually in Mental Health Month (October), infographics that are disseminated on social media platforms, psychoeducation workshops and the CSVR Symposium webinar series.
We provide MHPSS to victims of SGBV, raising awareness through psychoeducation groups around the dynamics that feed into SGBV and facilitating access to support in addressing SGBV-related issues.
Our recently concluded projects include:
In partnership with UNHCR, this project aimed to provide direct comprehensive mental health and psychosocial services to refugees and asylum seekers (individuals and families) through counselling service provision, case management and psychiatric services, as well as providing indirect psychosocial services to refugees and asylum seekers through community outreach and capacity building initiatives.
With funding from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, we provided holistic, multidisciplinary and integrated rehabilitation services to torture survivors in South Africa.
In partnership with the Heinrich Boll Stiftung, we addressed SGBV in the country.
With support from the Mary Oppenheimer and Daughters Foundation, we undertook mental wellness and psychosocial interventions within South African communities.
In partnership with Dignity, this project developed best practise strategies for mobilising and empowering risk groups, communities and other stakeholders to counter authority-based violence in South African communities.
With support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust, we strengthened evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies for torture in South Africa.
With support from Freedom House, we strengthened cooperation among key community actors in 'hot-spot' communities, including community-based organisations, migrant groups and local political and traditional leaders towards combating xenophobic violence and its effects.
With support from the Raith Foundation, we conducted an in-depth analysis and evaluation of strengths, gaps and theory of practice in interventions that are being implemented in Kagiso, Marikana, Ekangala and the inner city of Johannesburg.
Amina Mwaikambo
Psychosocial Trauma Professional
Charlotte Motsoari
MHPSS Practitioner
Gugu Shabalala
MHPSS Programme Manager