In 2024, our work has been shaped by steady engagement in knowledge sharing, professional exchange, training initiatives, and continued efforts to draw attention to mental health and human rights in the context of war and conflict.
MHHRI – focus and strength: Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI)
Aims to strengthen psychosocial support and mental health for individuals affected by organised violence, war, and severe human rights violations. We contribute to this through the development and dissemination of training materials, as well as through teaching and guidance. A key area of focus is gender-based violence in conflict settings, for which we have developed specialised manuals tailored to support work with women, boys and men, and children. A core element of our work is the open-access resource database, that is grounded in evidence-based knowledge and professional expertise.
What we have achieved
- Continued core activities in developing and disseminating training materials, teaching, and guidance, with a strong focus on gender-based violence in conflict settings.
- Contributed to training programs in South Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Norway, in collaboration with partners including FORUT, RVTS, Solidarity Hub, and the Norwegian-Ukrainian Aid Organisation.
- Strengthened communication efforts through increased publishing, regular newsletters, and the production of digital resources.
- Actively participated in national and international networks, including Forum 1325 and the Global Mental Health Network.
- Carried out 28 GBV trainings in Norway, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, reaching over 800 participants.
- Maintained the professional and growing demand for MHHRI’s resources and expertise.
Collaboration with FORUT and Integration of Our Manuals in Global Partnerships
MHHRI has achieved its goal of linking our GBV manuals with organisations actively using them in their work with local partners.
In 2024, this was particularly evident through our collaboration with FORUT and its partner organisations in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India. As part of FORUT’s broader focus on mental health in development work, MHHRI’s handbooks on trauma and gender-based violence were used in a regional “Training of Trainers” program.
The manuals, developed for work with women, boys and men, as well as children, provided practical tools for local staff working with survivors of violence and abuse. They also offer important guidance on how to support the well-being of the helpers themselves.
FORUT’s partners are now using the manuals to train staff in schools, health centers, local authorities, and civil society organisations. This work contributes to safer communities, reduced stigma, and the strengthening of human rights.
Social media and digital platforms
www.mhhri.no
For MHHRI, clear and reliable communication is essential, especially in a time marked by information overload and uncertainty about source credibility.
As the team responsible for MHHRI website, we ensure that key content on mental health and human rights is regularly updated and meets high professional standards, in line with the organisation’s mandate and focus areas.
In 2024, we produced four newsletters and two blog posts on topics including mental health, elderly refugees, veterans, the emigration situation in Central America, and the war in Ukraine. These were distributed through our subscription service and social media channels, in English, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Marketing and distribution of manuals
We have produced several video guides on the manuals for children and for boys and men, including short training videos designed both as tools for frontline workers and for promotional use. The videos were made in different languages.
Academic collaboration and teaching
We further developed our professional collaboration with both academic institutions and humanitarian actors, with the aim of strengthening psychosocial support and mental health in crisis and conflict settings. Through partnerships, teaching, training, and network-building, we have contributed to capacity building for aid workers, professionals, and human rights defenders in Norway and internationally.
Collaboration with organisations such as the Children and War Foundation, Solidarity Hub, the Global Mental Health Network, Fagfokus, and the Norwegian Refugee Council has enabled training in GBV, trauma-informed care, and self-care for those working under challenging field conditions. MHHRI has also been involved in student supervision, internship programmes, and the development of new academic initiatives, particularly related to Ukraine and Palestine.
In collaboration with Children and War foundation
In collaboration with Solidarity Hub and the Children and War Foundation, we conducted three in-person courses in Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) for Palestinian aid workers in Cairo, reaching a total of 75 participants.
The courses were led by Safwat Diab, who was previously trained in TRT through MHHRI. In addition, Safwat Diab and Sarah Hakim conducted three online courses for aid workers in Gaza during periods of ceasefire. These initiatives are part of our broader effort to equip local actors with practical tools for trauma-informed support in crisis settings.
Other collaborations
- Psychosocial support in the Breathing Space programme
- Collaboration with Fagfokus: Strengthening competence on sexual violence in conflict
- Helping the helper training
- Solidarity Hub: Training and network-building for psychology students and helpers
Supporting Ukraine
After three years of war in Ukraine, MHHRI continues its work to improve the lives of Ukrainians in Ukraine, neighboring regions, and Norway. Our focus is on strengthening mental health support and advancing rebuilding efforts in Ukraine. With the support of our Ukraine office, led by Anna Fedina, we’ve reached significant milestones that will leave an impact. We are grateful for all contributions, whether through funding, expertise, or time.
The support given has been vital to the efforts in assisting helpers working in Ukraine and beyond. It’s crucial that we continue to raise awareness and sustain support for the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
As part of the work at MHHRI’s Ukraine office, we continued our collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) through the Helping the Helpers project. This initiative provides psychological support to Ukrainian staff and volunteers at NRC who work with internally displaced persons.
Other Collaborations Supporting Ukraine
Collaboration with Amnesty Norway and Norwegian Peoples Aid
Collaboration with Norsk-Ukrainsk Hjelpeorganisasjon
Collaboration with AHALAR
Networking meetings and strategic positioning
MHHRI actively participates in a range of professional and thematic networks to strengthen our efforts in mental health and human rights in crisis and conflict settings.
Network for organisations working with exposed boys and men
Together with NOK Oslo, MHHRI has taken the initiative to establish a network for organisations and professionals working with boys and men affected by sexual violence.
The network meets four times a year and serves as a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge, and strengthening collaboration. Each meeting is hosted and shaped by one of the participating organisations, while MHHRI acts as the secretariat and coordinates the overall operation of the network. The aim is to improve support and increase visibility for this vulnerable and often overlooked group.
Global Mental Health Network
The Global Mental Health Network is an informal collaboration between civil society organisations, academia, professionals, and individuals with an interest in mental health from a global and development policy perspective. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and advocacy.
The network hosted a well-attended debate on children’s mental health in war at Arendalsuka, featuring speakers such as Nora Sveaass, Emad AlRozzi, and representatives from KrF, SV, and AP. The goal is to strengthen awareness and long-term commitment to psychosocial support in international work.
MHHRI is part of the network’s working group and also participated in the second Nordic MHPSS conference in Malmö in March, where Elisabeth represented Norway. The next conference will be hosted in Norway in 2026.
Participation at HUMAN IDFF
In March, MHHRI took part in the HUMAN International Documentary Film Festival, co-hosting a screening of “In The Rearview” film in collaboration with the University of Oslo. Nora Sveaass moderated the panel discussion about the topic of children in war, both in Ukraine and Palestine. The panel included Helen Christie, Emad Al-Rozzi, and Alexander Tymczuk.
The festival provided an important platform to highlight our work on mental health in war and conflict and contributed to reaching new audiences.
Other network collaborations
- Support for Sudanese aid workers: Peer-to-peer network
- Forum 1325 Norway
- Colombia Forum
- Advisory resource group
- Collaboration with the Regional Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress (RVTS)
A heartfelt thank you to all our collaborators
We want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us in 2024. We appreciate all who continue to stand with us in promoting the rights of people affected by human rights violations.
MHHRI has maintained a high level of professional activity and engaged in broad international collaboration. Our role at the intersection of mental health, human rights, and work in conflict settings has been further strengthened.
The organisation is entering a period where important strategic choices must be made. At the same time, the continued interest in and need for our resources gives reason for both motivation and cautious optimism going forward.
