Integrating MHPSS and Peacebuilding: A Critical and Constructive
Perspective from the Integrated Field of Psychosocial Peacebuilding
Abstract
Recent years have seen a surge in awareness of the importance to
integrate Mental Health, Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Peacebuilding
(PB). This article examines how the conceptual frameworks and practical
implementation experience of psychosocial peacebuilding relate to the
current integration efforts of MHPSS and Peacebuilding. It identifies a
range of challenges often present in integration efforts, as well as
insights, frameworks and experience from the field of psychosocial
peacebuilding which could address these. This article proposes to
peacebuilding practitioners, policy-makers and donors to put more
attention on strengthening integrated approaches that already exist,
rather than focusing most attention on merging what is - at the moment -
far from integrated. It emphasizes that sustainable integration of
integrated approaches into peacebuilding policy, practice and theory, as
well as improved impact of integrated peacebuilding work, will be
developed from the way we as peacebuilders connect and integrate inside
ourselves and our teams.