21/08/2026
New publication alert 📣 Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and mental health and psychosocial support: operational guidance.
🔗 Download: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240121706
The recently published operational guidance from WHO, UNICEF and the UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO) identifies key issues, strategic and programmatic entry points for strengthening mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) within disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR). It was developed based upon existing guidance, international standards, expert consultations and practitioner experience.
The operational guidance seeks to be a tool for advocacy, standardisation, and building consensus around practice. To strengthen the approach to MHPSS in DDR settings, the operational guidance highlights 11 key issues. For example, a key issue is to recognize DDR as a mental health and psychosocial process as much as an economic and political one. The operational guidance includes specific links to existing guidance and standards to support implementation.