Young children in crisis settings 6: Why supporting caregivers’ mental health in crisis settings is essential for young children’s holistic development.

In our sixth thematic brief, we highlight the importance of supporting caregivers’ mental health in crisis settings to young children’s holistic development.

We present data on the severity of the global mental health crisis, which is being exacerbated by the lack of funding for psychosocial support for children, youth, and families.

We focus more on why caregivers’ mental health matters in crisis settings and why it is critical to invest in and prioritize caregivers’ well-being and support in conflict and crisis-affected areas.

We share Illustrative examples of evidence-based interventions, that adopt a whole family approach to promote the mental health and psychosocial well-being of caregivers, responsive caregiving, and early learning; and how humanitarian workers promote and protect the mental health and psychosocial well-being of caregivers

With thanks to Ashley Nemiro (The MHPSS Collaborative) and Kay Lankreijer (BVLF), Louise Juul Hansen (The MHPSS Collaborative), Vassiliki Arampatzi, and Hajra Daly (Amna Refugee Healing Network) Elvira Thissen (BVLF), Andrea Edman (IRC) and Nour Jarrouj (Moving Minds Alliance) for contributing and reviewing the document.

(Available to download below in Ukranian, Polish and English)