Abstract: The article discusses the early childhood intervention service in Ukraine, which operates in long-term cycles. Early intervention is a service for families with children aged 0 to 4 years who have developmental disorders or are at risk of developing them. The service is family-based, routine-based and transdisciplinary. The article highlights the impact of conflict on children, noting that ongoing negative experiences, or “toxic stress,” can severely affect their development. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in helping children cope, but they also face significant stress, complicating their ability to provide care. Despite the conflict, early intervention services continue for families with children at risk of developmental disorders, including those displaced abroad. Online meetings have become essential, ensuring service quality across formats. Comparing goal achievement in 60 families receiving services offline and online showed no significant difference in outcomes. Families emphasise the importance of continuing early intervention services during the war, noting that regular digital meetings provide vital support and help stabilise the mental state of both parents and children. Key strengths of the service during wartime include family-centredness, regular weekly meetings, service continuity in various formats and assistance in organising daily life, helping families adapt to changes and supporting child development.

Abstract: The climate crisis is exacerbating humanitarian crises and significantly impacting mental health and psychosocial wellbeing globally. This paper explores the application of Hobfoll’s five essential elements framework—promoting safety, calming, self-efficacy, connectedness, and hope—to address the mental health impacts of the climate crisis. Drawing from existing literature and practical experience, the paper examines how climate change affects mental health through multiple pathways, leading to increased rates of mental health conditions and psychological distress. The framework’s relevance to climate-related challenges is analyzed, offering practical guidance for mental health and psychosocial support practitioners and policymakers. The paper argues that integrating mental health considerations into climate action through this established framework can help communities build resilience and cope with climate-related stressors. While acknowledging limitations in current research, particularly regarding a lack of perspectives from the global South, this conceptual work provides a foundation for developing comprehensive responses to the mental health dimensions of the climate crisis. The paper concludes that applying the five elements framework, alongside integrated programming and cross-sector collaboration, offers a valuable approach for promoting community wellbeing in the face of unprecedented environmental challenges.

Abstract: Manipur, located in northeastern India, has faced intermittent episodes of violence over the years. However, the latest surge in conflict has uniquely strained its healthcare system. Hospitals and clinics have been damaged, leading to the interruption of routine medical services and the depletion of essential supplies. Health workers, facing threats to their safety, have often been unable to perform their duties, resulting in a shortage of medical professionals in critical areas. The violence has led to population displacement, creating new healthcare challenges. Internally displaced persons have congregated in camps with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. This situation has placed additional pressure on an already fragile healthcare system, struggling to meet the needs of both the displaced population and the broader community.

Abstract: Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) practitioners play a key role in promoting and protecting the mental health of forcibly displaced communities. Physical activity (PA) is an evidence-based, cross-cutting strategy to protect and promote mental and physical health and increase resilience. Although PA is recommended, implementation remains ad hoc. Strengthening the collaboration between PA and mental health workforces may help bridge this gap between knowledge and practice. We conducted a 3-h introductory training for MHPSS practitioners in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on principles of PA promotion, including understanding the difference between PA, sport, and exercise, exploring the evidence linking PA and mental health, assessing PA level, and identifying resources for PA promotion. The primary aim was to determine the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the workshop. Secondary aims included (i) assessing the impact of the workshop on the attitudes, confidence, and knowledge of practitioners, (ii) assessing the self-reported PA levels of the attendees, and (iii) exploring whether a relationship exists between attitudes, confidence, and knowledge of PA and participant’s own self-reported PA levels. Seventeen participants attended the training and joined an online WhatsApp to facilitate ongoing communication. Training MHPSS practitioners in PA promotion is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. Further, MHPSS staff may be at risk of physical inactivity, which may have ramifications for their own health and well-being, in addition to their PA promotion practices. Interventions to increase the PA capability of MHPSS staff are warranted.

Abstract: Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, including services related to sexual and reproductive health problems, are highly unaddressed in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We present findings of a qualitative study that reveals three gaps related to the knowledge and skills of staff in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to provide proper MHPSS, with integrated care for sexual and reproductive health. These gaps relate to reliance on western imposed approaches that only partly fit the local context, to a strong focus on medication, and to a lack of training. Further, the data show two main obstacles to improve current practices: persistent cultural taboos and misconceptions about what mental health and sexual health problems are and how they come to exist, and a very limited referral system. The gaps and obstacles illustrate the complex context in Eastern DRC, they highlight the importance of locally tailored education and training, and they stress the need for system changes to improve access to and quality of MHPSS. From a national and regional perspective, the results seem to call for a paradigm shift as to how mental health is approached and embedded in educational systems and society.