REPSSI (The Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) advocates for the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and youth in East and Southern Africa, particularly those affected by trauma, poverty, conflict, displacement, and other forms of adversity. As a regional leader, REPSSI works to raise awareness about the critical importance of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in humanitarian and development efforts, while also promoting policies and practices that ensure the mental health needs of vulnerable populations are met in these regions.
Advocacy focus:
REPSSI advocates for the integration of mental health and psychosocial support in the ‘SHE’ sectors such as SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH and Education. This includes supporting all girls, boys and young people affected by crises such as HIV/AIDS, conflict, pandemics, natural disasters and climate-related displacement among others. REPSSI pushes for MHPSS to be incorporated as a core component of emergency responses and development initiatives in the region
REPSSI works to raise awareness about the importance of mental health for all girls, boys, young people and caregivers, particularly in contexts of stress, depression, trauma and adversity. The organization actively campaigns against the stigma, discrimination surrounding mental health issues and calls for broader recognition of the psychological impacts of crises, such as gender based violence, displacement, and pandemics outbreaks, which are prevalent in East and Southern Africa.
A central focus of REPSSI’s work is advocating for the development and implementation of robust national policies that promote child and adolescent mental health. This involves working closely with governments in East and Southern Africa to strengthen mental health services, promote child-friendly policies, and integrate psychosocial support into national education and healthcare systems.
REPSSI prioritizes building the capacity of local and national actors to deliver mental health and psychosocial support. This includes training caregivers, teachers, community workers, and health professionals to recognize and address the mental health needs of children and youth. The goal is to ensure that frontline workers are equipped with the skills to provide essential psychosocial care in communities across East and Southern Africa.
REPSSI advocates for the generation of research on effective mental health and psychosocial interventions, particularly those tailored to the specific needs of children and adolescents in East and Southern Africa. Through research, the organization seeks to build a stronger evidence base for MHPSS and promote evidence-based interventions that can be scaled across the region.
To address the complex challenges faced by children and youth in the region, REPSSI emphasizes the importance of building partnerships with governments, NGO, and other key stakeholders. By strengthening collaboration across sectors, REPSSI ensures that the mental health and psychosocial needs of vulnerable populations are addressed in a holistic and coordinated manner.