How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A Reflection

In developing the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, attention to social process was key for success. In retrospect, humility was crucial for reflecting on one’s own dogmas, opening up to different points of view and avoiding ideological fixity and unpro...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Michael G Wessells
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-01-01
Series:Intervention
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.interventionjournal.org/article.asp?issn=1571-8883;year=2023;volume=21;issue=1;spage=72;epage=75;aulast=Wessells
_version_ 1797824199821099008
author Michael G Wessells
author_facet Michael G Wessells
author_sort Michael G Wessells
collection DOAJ
description In developing the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, attention to social process was key for success. In retrospect, humility was crucial for reflecting on one’s own dogmas, opening up to different points of view and avoiding ideological fixity and unproductive debates. Inclusivity was the key for enabling learning from diverse perspectives and areas of expertise, drawing on understandings from different countries and developing richly contextual approaches. Effective leadership from Mark van Ommeren and participating agencies enabled a highly collaborative, transformative process. As the developing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) field has become institutionalized and respected for its importance, expertise and expanding evidence base, increased attention to the process is needed. Key process considerations at present include power sharing with local people, listening to and co-learning with affected people and collective critical reflection, including on issues of process and relationships with local people. Greater attention to process can help to complement needed technical approaches, avoid unintended harm and enable more contextual, effective and sustainable humanitarian action. With attention to both technical aspects and human processes, the field of MHPSS can develop and implement comprehensive approaches and make its greatest contributions to affected people.
first_indexed 2024-03-13T10:35:25Z
format Article
id doaj.art-c6e10a300a10470c9eb6cb37b6a6eb89
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1571-8883
1872-1001
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-13T10:35:25Z
publishDate 2023-01-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Intervention
spelling doaj.art-c6e10a300a10470c9eb6cb37b6a6eb892023-05-18T06:16:51ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIntervention1571-88831872-10012023-01-01211727510.4103/intv.intv_5_23How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A ReflectionMichael G WessellsIn developing the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, attention to social process was key for success. In retrospect, humility was crucial for reflecting on one’s own dogmas, opening up to different points of view and avoiding ideological fixity and unproductive debates. Inclusivity was the key for enabling learning from diverse perspectives and areas of expertise, drawing on understandings from different countries and developing richly contextual approaches. Effective leadership from Mark van Ommeren and participating agencies enabled a highly collaborative, transformative process. As the developing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) field has become institutionalized and respected for its importance, expertise and expanding evidence base, increased attention to the process is needed. Key process considerations at present include power sharing with local people, listening to and co-learning with affected people and collective critical reflection, including on issues of process and relationships with local people. Greater attention to process can help to complement needed technical approaches, avoid unintended harm and enable more contextual, effective and sustainable humanitarian action. With attention to both technical aspects and human processes, the field of MHPSS can develop and implement comprehensive approaches and make its greatest contributions to affected people.http://www.interventionjournal.org/article.asp?issn=1571-8883;year=2023;volume=21;issue=1;spage=72;epage=75;aulast=Wessellsco-learningholistic approachhumilityinclusivityleadershiplisteningpower sharingprocess
spellingShingle Michael G Wessells
How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A Reflection
Intervention
co-learning
holistic approach
humility
inclusivity
leadership
listening
power sharing
process
title How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A Reflection
title_full How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A Reflection
title_fullStr How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A Reflection
title_full_unstemmed How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A Reflection
title_short How Process Matters in Strengthening MHPSS: A Reflection
title_sort how process matters in strengthening mhpss a reflection
topic co-learning
holistic approach
humility
inclusivity
leadership
listening
power sharing
process
url http://www.interventionjournal.org/article.asp?issn=1571-8883;year=2023;volume=21;issue=1;spage=72;epage=75;aulast=Wessells
work_keys_str_mv AT michaelgwessells howprocessmattersinstrengtheningmhpssareflection