Our Strategy
REpssi's Strategy
The Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) is committed to promoting mental health and psychosocial well-being for children, youth parents and other caregivers in East and Southern Africa. Our strategy revolves around building resilient communities, enhancing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services and advocating for policy changes that prioritize mental health.
Core Objectives
- Target Audience: We focus on caregivers, educators, health workers, community leaders, and other stakeholders who play a vital role in child and youth development.
- Curriculum Development: Our training programs are based on evidence-based practices and are tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve. Topics include trauma-informed care, mental health first aid, child protection, and resilience building.
- Delivery Methods: We use a mix of in-person workshops, online courses, and blended learning approaches to reach a diverse audience and accommodate different learning preferences.
- Peer Support Networks: Establishing and supporting peer support networks where community members can share experiences, provide mutual support, and disseminate information about PSS.
- Local Partnerships: Collaborating with local organizations, governments, traditional leaders and faith based organisations to ensure that our initiatives are culturally relevant and sustainable. This grassroots approach helps in tailoring our interventions to meet specific community needs.
- Community Dialogues: Organizing community dialogues and forums where community members can openly discuss mental health and psychosocial issues; share their concerns, and suggest solutions. This participatory approach ensures that interventions are relevant and effective.
- Information Campaigns: Implementing targeted information campaigns using various media channels such as radio aided conversation on MHPSS and Social accountability, infographic posters and social media to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and psychosocial support.
- Cultural Events: Incorporating MHPSS messages into cultural events and festivals such as traditional ceremonies to reach a wider audience and promote community acceptance of mental health initiatives.
- Policy Development: Working with policymakers to develop and implement policies that support mental health and psychosocial well-being services. Our advocacy efforts aim to integrate MHPSS into national social services, health and education systems.
- Research and Evidence: Conducting research to generate evidence on the impact of MHPSS interventions. This evidence is used to inform policy decisions and improve program effectiveness.
- School Programs: Implementing MHPSS programs in schools to create supportive environments for children and adolescents. These programs include psychosocial support lifeskills, peer support groups, and counseling services.
- Home Visits: Trained community based volunteers or community health workers conduct home visits to provide mental health and psychosocial support to caregivers, addressing specific challenges and offering practical support tailored to the caregiver’s needs.
- Impact Assessment: Regularly assessing the impact of our programs to ensure they meet our objectives and address the needs of our target populations. We use both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate our interventions.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing feedback channels for beneficiaries to share their experiences and suggestions. This feedback is crucial for continuously improving our programs and strategies.
- Enhancing Psychosocial Support (PSS) in Health Systems: Integrate psychosocial support into existing health services, ensuring that mental health and emotional wellbeing are part of routine healthcare, especially for adolescents and young adults.
- Advocacy for Comprehensive SRHR Education: Promote comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education that includes psychosocial components, helping young people make informed decisions about their health and relationships.
- Strengthening Capacity of Healthcare Workers: Train healthcare providers on psychosocial aspects of sexual and reproductive health, including how to support individuals experiencing trauma, stigma, or discrimination.
- Promoting Gender Equality: Advocate for gender-responsive policies and practices that protect and promote the sexual and reproductive health rights of all genders, particularly focusing on marginalized and vulnerable groups.
- Integration of Psychosocial Support in Schools: Develop and implement programs that integrate psychosocial support into school curricula and teacher training, fostering safe and supportive learning environments.
- Early Identification and Intervention: Promote early identification of psychosocial issues in children and provide timely interventions to support their emotional and social development.
- Parent and Caregiver Education: Educate parents and caregivers on the importance of psychosocial development in early childhood, providing them with tools and resources to support their children effectively.
- Inclusive Education Practices: Advocate for inclusive education policies that ensure all children, regardless of their background or abilities, receive the psychosocial support they need to thrive academically and socially.
- Psychosocial Support for Vulnerable Populations: Provide targeted mental health and psychosocial support services to vulnerable populations, including orphans, refugee children or children in conflict, and those affected by poverty and social exclusion.
- Economic Empowerment Programs: Develop and support programs that combine mental health and psychosocial support with skills training and economic opportunities, such as the Self Health Help Groups (SHGs), helping caregivers build sustainable livelihoods.
- Advocacy for Child Protection: Strengthen child protection systems through advocacy and capacity-building, ensuring that children are protected from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
- Community-Based Approaches: Promote community-based mental health and psychosocial support initiatives that engage local leaders, faith based leaders and stakeholders in creating protective and supportive environments for all community members.
- Psychosocial Preparedness and Response: Integrate mental health and psychosocial support into disaster such the times of pandemics, floods, droughts etc preparedness and response plans, ensuring that mental health needs are addressed alongside physical health and safety.
- Training and Capacity Building: Train humanitarian workers and volunteers on providing mental health and psychosocial support during emergencies, equipping them to address trauma and stress in affected populations.
- Resilience Building: Promote resilience-building activities within communities to enhance their ability to cope with and recover from disasters, focusing on strengthening social networks and support systems.
- Policy and Advocacy: Advocate for policies that prioritize mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian responses, ensuring that mental health and emotional wellbeing are recognized as critical components of disaster management.
- Sustainability and Local Ownership: Ensuring that our programs are sustainable and owned by the communities we serve. This involves capacity building, creating local MHPSS champions, and fostering strong local leadership and implementing in existing structures.