A Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings Inter-Agency Standing Committee IASC Reference group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings Field test version © Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Reference Group for Mental Health and Through consultation and peer review processes, valuable inputs to this publication and the Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, 2017 common framework were received from: The Inter-Agency Standing Committee was established in 1992 in response to General Action Contre la Faim; AmeriCares; Antares Foundation; Basic Needs; Care International; CBM; Assembly resolution 46/182, which called for strengthened coordination of humanitarian Centre for the Victims of Torture; Church of Sweden/ACT Alliance; City University of New York; assistance. The resolution set up the IASC as the primary mechanism for facilitating Equator; French Development Agency; Handicap International; HealthNet TPO Afghanistan; inter-agency decision-making in response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. IASC Secretariat; IFRC Psychosocial Centre; International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC; The IASC comprises the heads of a broad range of United Nations, the International International Medical Corps, IMC; International Organisation for Migration, IOM; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent and non-UN humanitarian organisations. For Rescue Committee, IRC; Johns Hopkins University; Malteser International; Médecins Sans further information on the IASC, please access its website at: Frontières, MSF; MHPSS Working Group, Jordan; MHPSS Working Group, Turkey; MHPSS.net; <www.humanitarianinfo.org/iasc>. National Institute for Mental Health, Sri Lanka, NIMH; Northern Provincial Council Department of This publication is available on the IASC Reference Group for Mental Health and Health Sri Lanka; Nottingham University; OFDA/USAID; Open University, Sri Lanka; Peace in Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings web page at: Practice; Plan International; Psycho-Social Services and Training Institute, Cairo; Queen Margaret <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-emer University; Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative, REPSSI; Royal College of Psychiatrists; Save gency-settings>. the Children; Swiss Development Cooperation, SDC; Terre des Hommes, TdH; The Asia Founda- tion; The Good Practice Group; Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation, TPO Nepal; SUGGESTED CITATION: UNICEF-Child Protection Working Group; United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR; United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Reference Group for Mental Health and Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA; University of Colombo; University of Liverpool; Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, A Common Monitoring and Evaluation War Child Holland; War Trauma Foundation; World Health Organization, WHO; World Vision Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, IASC, International and individual consultants and colleagues. Geneva, 2017. Cover photo (main picture) © Caitlin Cockcroft/ HealthNet TPO @HealthNet TPO/ 2015/ Wau, South Sudan For communication and to provide feedback on this publication, please email the IASC Reference ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings at: <[email protected]>. The content of this publication was developed by the IASC Reference Group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. The task team leading its development included: Alison Schafer (World Vision International), Jura Augustinavicius (Johns Hopkins University), Margriet Blaauw (War Trauma Foundation), Ananda Galappatti (MHPSS.net and The Good Practice Group), Saji Thomas (UNICEF), Wietse Tol (Peter C. Alderman Foundation and Johns Hopkins University), Sarah Harrison (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, or IFRC Psychosocial Centre) and Mark van Ommeren (World Health Organization). The development of this publication was managed by UNICEF and funded by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 02 CONTENTS Chapter 1. Introduction 04 Chapter 2. Why is monitoring and evaluation important? 07 Chapter 3. Using a shared language 09 Chapter 4. The common framework goal and outcomes 11 Chapter 5. A description of framework outcomes and indicators 16 Chapter 6. Measuring indicators using means of verification 27 Chapter 7. Practical tips for using the common framework 29 Chapter 8. Ethical considerations in monitoring and evaluation 31 Chapter 9. Sharing results and lessons learned 32 References 34 Annexes Annex 1. Academic reviews to support development of the common framework 35 Notes on Annexes 2, 3, 4 and 5 37 Annex 2. Sample framework for providing emergency supplies in response to an earthquake 38 Annex 3. Sample framework for a programme to protect and support women affected by or at risk of sexual violence 39 Annex 4. Sample framework for a children’s informal education programme 40 Annex 5. Sample framework for a health programme to treat people with mental disorders in primary health clinics 41 03 CHAPTER 1 Introduction This document provides guidance in the assessment, research, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programmes in emergency settings. Although designed specifically for emergency contexts (including protracted crises), the framework may also be applicable for the transition phases from emergency to development (including disaster risk reduction initiatives). The framework assumes familiarity with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings1 and an understanding of programming in humanitarian relief and/or development. Mental health and psychosocial support refers to any type of local or outside support that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well-being and/or prevent or treat mental disorders. Therefore, the common framework described on the following pages is important for any emergency or development personnel who are directly or indirectly engaged in programmes that aim to influence the mental health and psychosocial well-being of others. This may include (but is not limited to) mental health professionals, child protection actors or educators, health providers, nutritionists, faith communities, or programme managers and practitioners engaged in initiatives such as © IOM peacebuilding, life skills or vocational learning. The field of mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings is advancing rapidly, with various MHPSS activities now forming part of standard humanitarian responses. In 2007, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee released the However, the wide variation of goals, outcomes and indicators for the many IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, MHPSS projects being implemented in different humanitarian settings has 2 which have been widely used to guide MHPSS programmes in many humanitarian led to difficulties in demonstrating their value or impact. To address this contexts. At the same time, rigorous research that evaluates the effectiveness of specific challenge, a common monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework has MHPSS activities is increasingly being published. been developed to supplement the IASC guidelines. 04 HOW THE COMMON FRAMEWORK WAS DEVELOPED? SIX CORE All MHPSS actions undertaken during emergency response must work towards meeting The Common Monitoring and Evaluation six core principles outlined in the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings: Framework for Mental Health and PRINCIPLES Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings was developed through a process of academic, expert and field reviews. They 01 Human rights and equity for all affected persons ensured, particularly protecting those at included: a literature review on frequently heightened risk of human rights violations measured MHPSS constructs;3 an expert panel and consultation on a draft framework and 02 Participation of local affected populations in all aspects of humanitarian response key terms; field consultations in humanitarian settings in Africa, Asia and the Middle East; an in-depth review of commonly used indicators 03 Do no harm in relation to physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being and being and measurement tools;4 and multiple peer mindful to ensure that actions respond to assessed needs, are committed to evaluation and scrutiny, reviews to establish consensus. Annex 1 supporting culturally appropriate responses and acknowledging the assorted power relations provides details about the academic reviews between groups participating in emergency responses undertaken and how these were applied to initial drafts of the framework. The final 04 Building on available resources and capacities by working with local groups, supporting framework is deemed relevant to the vast majority of MHPSS activities, interventions, self-help and strengthening existing resources projects and programmes that are likely to be implemented in a humanitarian response, as 05 Integrated support systems so that MHPSS is not a stand-alone programme operating outside described in the IASC Guidelines