An overview This scoping study provides an overview of the available literature on cultural and faith-based factors in the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in Syria and Syrian refugee communities. It is based on a collaborative review of existing academic, policy and practice-focused publications. Cultural adaptation The study is primarily meant to […]

Faith and MHPSS during the COVID-19 pandemic   This article explores the ways faith groups and faith leaders responded to the varied needs of their community, specifically their mental health and psychosocial needs. The authors detail how the COVID-19 pandemic, and its secondary impacts reemphasised the relevance of MHPSS in responding to crises, including in humanitarian

Growth of a field   This large state of evidence document includes an explicit section on faith-sensitive psychosocial support which it suggest has emerged as a distinct interest over the last 5 years or so. The report highlights a growth in guidance documents, online learning, systematic and literature review and original research on this topic.   Spirituality  

Women’s well-being  The article explores how faith resilience and spiritual suffering influenced women’s well-being in various ways, having a profound impact on their mental health, both buffering and contributing to psychological distress.   Responsive For some participants their engagement with religious practices had declined as they struggled to resolve the dissonance between their experiences and their

Belief in a Just World   The authors build on the literature on ‘Belief in a Just World’ (BJW), which suggests that people believe the world functions justly. When people experience extreme adversity, however, their belief in a just world can be shaken.  Secondary Trauma   For people with strong religious beliefs, the shattering of their religiously

The case for faith-sensitive psychosocial programming  This review of the then recent literature argues that faith is relevant for psychosocial programming because it is indicated in the IASC Guidelines, is implied in humanitarian law and principles, is an active and effective source of coping, local actors have a ‘comparative advantage’ in humanitarian settings and is

Challenging assumptions   This article challenges the assumption that counselling and psychotherapy are scientifically sound, universal treatment practices with worldwide applicability that transcend national and cultural boundaries.  Contextual model   Building on a contextual model, this article argues that those living in non-Western countries or living in Western countries but are less acculturated to dominant Western norms

Notably secular  While MHPSS practitioners have not ignored issues of faith, this article criticises the notably secular language and activities of MHPSS   Disconnected Programming  This article argues that such an overly technical focus of MHPSS risks disconnecting programming from the perceptions, agendas, institutions and lived realities of local communities of faith.   Commitment and Openness   While

Strong relationship    In this chapter, the authors address the question: does a person’s degree of spirituality make a difference to/in their ability to survive and recover in times of crisis, and if it does, can and should humanitarian aid agencies seek to support spirituality?   Faith and recovery from trauma  While the relationship between spirituality and

Gaps   This seminal article looks at the work of World Vision International, an international faith-inspired non-governmental organisation, and their response to the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. it identifies a significant gap in materials and interventions that combine spiritual needs with the mental health and psychosocial support needs of affected communities and a lack of