Global Multisectoral Operational Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support of Children, Adolescents and Caregivers Across Settings

The Global Multisectoral Operational Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support of Children, Adolescents and Caregivers Across Settings (MHPSS Framework) supersedes the field-test version of the UNICEF MHPSS Operational Guidelines launched in 2018 and has been developed to operationalize the UNICEF MHPSS Technical Note (2019) that guides UNICEF’s approach to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) across sectors and settings.

The MHPSS Framework is designed to support people working in relevant sectors and areas of work – including health, social welfare and child protection, education, adolescent development and participation, early childhood development, disability and nutrition – to become more MHPSS-sensitive and scale up quality MHPSS interventions for children, adolescents, young people and families in development and humanitarian settings. It is intended to help UNICEF staff and partners develop MHPSS programmes across the social ecological model and the mental health continuum of care, which includes prevention, promotion and treatment to improve the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of children, adolescents and their caregivers globally.

The framework will be assessed for revision at the end of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan period in 2025.