Update on mhpss.net IASC MHPSS RG 2014 Copenhagen Ananda Galappatti

Exploration of Existing Networks for Coordination & Knowledge Exchange Study of existing MHPSS Networks & Networkers Pilot exercises around networking approaches – within conflict zones; across regions & online Complex dynamics and diverse settings, but huge potential for connecting, extending & strengthening informal & formal networks.

Online Platform Launched went live in Dec 2010 Within 2 weeks, used in Haitian Earthquake response New platform went live in July 2011 Online Hosting Team begins work in Jan 2013 Significant upgrade in March 2014

The mhpss.net online platform seeks to improve mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in emergencies and situations of adversity by improving access to people, resources and knowledge. Create and explore groups Maintain accounts Connect stakeholders Share, discuss and rate resources Through mhpss.net, members can: Hosted support to emergency work

Approach taken by mhpss.net Improve access to people, resources and knowledge: Connect international & local; enable learning between regions). Prioritise accessibility for local field– based practitioners: ‘grassroots at the centre’. Accessibility is promoted by our ‘hosting’ team’ who provide personal support to users, and by keeping technology requirements (equipment & skills) to a minimum. mhpss.net defines its role as strengthen and connect existing resources – not duplicate or replace them.

Site Development New Functions Improved user interface Live chat functions Ability to upload images, videos and CVs New vacancies section New search function New tagging, rating and bookmarking functions for resources, Streamlining of resources for better sharing & non-duplication More security for private resources Downloads count at individual resource level Data exporting tools Coming soon… Spanish, French & Arabic Versions Peer review mechanism 4Ws Online Tool

Analytics: Oct 2012-Sept 2014 Access Every country in the world >5325 cities or towns >97,000 visitors >7600 hours spent on site ~550,000 page views Over 3000 members Site visits increased by 150% overall: – Central Africa 810% – South-East Asia 532% – Central America 473% Resources downloads of resources since Oct 2012 >2800 resources uploaded Most common downloads include: – IASC Guidelines for Health Actors Arabic (2524) – Prevention of Professional Burn Out (1769) – Five Essential Elements article by Hobfoll et al. (1518) – How to conduct a case study (5022)

Support to Major Emergencies Ebola Crisis ResponseUser Feedback “The Ebola group on MHPSS.net has been absolutely invaluable for me to stay updated and for adapting the PFA materials. It is my go-to place for relevant, updated information - not just on MHPSS, but on the outbreak in general. It has simply become an essential resource in my daily work - in particular for this worsening Ebola crisis.” (Leslie Snider, co-author of WHO 2011 PFA Field Guide). “Through contact with MSF via mhpss.net, we have been able to exchange internal documents between the two organisations for mutual learning purposes and we are collaborating informally on developing better guidelines for supporting people in quarantine.” (Louise Juul Hansen, IFRC)

Response to Typhoon Haiyan Curation of Resources Connecting responders Support to 4Ws mapping of MHPSS response Face-to-face support on using site Support to sharing and accessing resources Navigation of complex dynamics between international, national & local actors “MHPSS.NET played a very helpful role in organizing important assessment (organizing a mapping of who does where what until when (4Ws)) in the Philippines in Its capacity to reach out to and collect key data from civil society organizations during the chaos of crisis was impressive.” (Mark van Ommeren, WHO)

mhpss.net in MENA >200 members who are MHPSS practitioners in MENA 10 Groups on MHPSS in MENA Syria Technical Reference Group for MHPSS.NET uses mhpss.net to share meeting minutes and organizational updates Online group for sharing materials between students and trainers on Libyan Diploma in clinical psychotherapeutic intervention for excombatants and their families “In a context like Gaza, where the population are locked in without the possibility to meet others physically, MHPSS.net was useful as a platform for mental health practitioners.” (Ruth O Connell, UNICEF) Key Arabic resources Arabic PFA Guide Arabic mhGAP guide School Teachers Arabic training manual IASC MHPSS reference group materials in Arabic mhpss.net site recently translated to Arabic

Taking Stock Achievements Meeting growth targets Recognition from key stakeholders as the go-to-site Community-building – Online Hosts – Webinars – Chat – Creating spaces for IRL collaborations Organizational development – Management systems – Governance Key partnerships – IASC MHPSS RG Challenges ICT Development – Improve UI – Improve Search Turn-over of hosts Lack of resources for on- the-ground engagement Untapped scope for growth Sustainability Demonstrate impact

Future Plans for mhpss.net Consolidate role as a bridge between the global and the local, and help link the flows of knowledge and facilitate cooperation within and between the two. To increase impact and scale, we need: greater focus in terms of delivery of ‘packages’ of relevant knowledge more streamlined processes for engagement in emergencies greater outreach and facilitation of on-the-ground engagement amongst stakeholders at a country level during and prior to emergencies Partnerships with key actors around development of content and on-the-ground activities. Secure sustainability of the network.