MHPSS Research Network webinar: Digital MHPSS to reach the most vulnerable

There is an enormous gap in human resources for mental health and psychosocial support at a global level. The ramifications of this gap are magnified in situations of armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies, where needs intensify and health systems are overwhelmed. Accordingly, there is a need for low-threshold but efficient services that can reach more people affected in the most cost-effective way possible.

As research over the past 20 years points out, technology-empowered, internet- and mobile-based interventions can be an effective way in addressing mental health and psychosocial needs. Digital MHPSS services provide a scalable and resource-efficient extension of traditional approaches to mental health care, as well as psychosocial support.

Since 2021 the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is exploring the smartphone as an essential, widespread tool of connecting with vulnerable people in need. The Sui SRK App, a guided service with psychosocial support for refugees in Switzerland, is the result of a long, participatory development process supported by research.

This webinar presents an overview of the current state of research on Digital MHPSS and discusses the SRC’s learnings with the development and the implementation of scalable technology-empowered pathways to addressing mental health and psychosocial needs.

The presenters are:

• Viktoria Zöllner, project manager at the Swiss Red Cross for the digital MHPSS service “Sui SRK App” with psychosocial support for refugees in Switzerland.
• Rilana Stöckli, PhD student of psychology at the university of Bern, leading the research project concerning the process of cultural adaptation and conducting the RCT on the effectiveness of the Sui SRC App.

Registration: 

• Please register here