Introduction Evidence Frameworks Assessment Design Implementation MEAL Sector Pull-outs
Frameworks
MHPSS Terminology, Definitions, and Contextualization
USAID’s Operational Definitions
USAID’s operational definitions for MHPSS terms seek to explain the difference between MH care and PSS and make clear the need for both in MHPSS programming. These definitions should guide the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of USAID-funded programs.
Mental Health Interventions: Interventions that address mental conditions through personalized care delivered to individuals or small groups with similar conditions. These include psychotherapy, psychoeducation to clients and their families, and pharmacology.
Psychosocial Interventions: Interventions that focus on addressing stress through changes in the environment to make it less stressful (inclusive of the individual’s physical environment and social environment), or by broadly applicable information and skills that can be easily disseminated to large groups or by media and are generally relevant to populations under duress.
Click here for more of USAID's Operational Definitions.
Contextualizing MHPSS Terminology and Concepts
Contextualization is the process of adapting programmatic approaches, concepts, and terminology to the local customs, values, and beliefs while maintaining fidelity to the core concepts and approaches. This process is essential when designing and implementing MHPSS programming. Contextualizing MHPSS terminology, approaches, and concepts reduces the risk of causing unintended harm and helps to prevent harmful practices. This process requires engaging local stakeholders to translate MHPSS concepts correctly—both linguistically and culturally. Click here for strategies to contextualize terminology and concepts.
The following resources include sections that relate directly to contextualization:
- “Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Assistance Programs for Trauma Survivors in Low Resource Countries: A User’s Manual for Researchers and Program Implementers (Adult Version), Module 1”
- “Adapting Problem Management Plus for Implementation: Lessons Learned from Public Sector Settings Across Rwanda, Peru, Mexico, and Malawi”
- “Defining and Measuring Child Well-Being in Humanitarian Action: A Contextualizing Guide”
Frameworks that Support MHPSS Programming
USAID Positive Youth Development Framework
USAID’s PYD approach helps youth become healthy, productive, and engaged in their futures, families, and communities by supporting their development across four domains: (1) assets, (2) agency, (3) contribution, and their (4) enabling environment.
Applying the PYD lens to mental and psychosocial support involves looking at the four PYD domains to identify the core elements that contribute to positive well-being. While investments across the PYD domains will contribute to an improved sense of well-being, some youth will need additional support. MHPSS interventions complement and build on programming that applies a PYD framework by (1) strengthening elements that build positive well-being, (2) making sure programs can refer youth for additional services, when necessary, and (3) ensuring access to mental health services for youth who need more focused support that extends beyond PSS.
Inter-Agency Standing Committee Intervention Pyramid
The IASC Intervention Pyramid, shown below, is widely used to describe the multi-layered support that makes up a comprehensive, complementary package of MHPSS interventions for different groups.
According to the pyramid, responding to needs related to basic services and security will contribute to improved well-being for the largest number of individuals. As you move up the pyramid, the services become more specialized in terms of who receives support service(s). Programs should layer services across the pyramid.
