Mental Health in Humanitarian Programs

In a world marked by complex and protracted crises, populations are striving to rebuild their lives while mental health needs continue to rise. At the same time, available resources are declining, further weakening the response.

A study conducted by United for Global Mental Health and the Mental Health Innovation Network estimates a 20–30% reduction in global funding allocated to mental health and psychosocial support (Sept 2025), which will have a severe impact on the mental health and well-being of populations living in humanitarian settings. This imbalance has lasting impacts on both individuals and communities, highlighting the persistent gap between global commitments and realities on the ground.

In the face of this urgency, one principle stands out: mental health responses must be rooted in existing systems. Primary health care delivered by medical actors cannot be fully effective without the engagement of community actors. This complementarity is essential to ensure responses that are accessible, sustainable, and adapted to fragile contexts.

Building on this observation, ALIMA and the Terre des hommes Foundation are convening humanitarian actors around a central question:

Roundtable: Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) are life-saving and priority interventions in the face of growing needs. What strategies should be adopted in a context of limited resources?

By bringing together committed experts, this roundtable aims to foster new approaches, redefine priorities, and adapt delivery modalities, contributing to strategic reflections on mental health in crisis settings.