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06 September, 2021

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Department of Social Protection in collaboration with REPSSI welcomes submission of abstracts from experts  in the field of PSS, including policy makers, researchers, practitioners, for the zonal and National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Forum, with the overall theme of Innovate, Integrate, Thrive. The event will take form of a hybrid physical and virtual forum hence the acceptance of abstracts from across the country.

Therefore, this is a call for abstracts guided by the following topics.

Topic 1:

Humanitarian emergencies

This topic will focus on MHPSS in humanitarian and emergency situations such as COVID-19 and internal/ external displacement due to conflict, natural disasters or economic reasons. The topic will provide the opportunity to discuss innovations in:

• How organisations address the MHPSS needs of girls and boys.
• How organisations adapt global frameworks/ guidelines to meet local requirements.
• Capacity building in MHPSS for frontline responders and social workers.
• Child protection systems effectiveness during humanitarian and emergency situations.

Topic 2:

Early Childhood Development

Topic looks at models and approaches that enhance mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of parents, caregivers and young children along a continuum of care from pre-pregnancy, childbirth and the post-natal period into infancy and childhood. The topic will consider.

• How systems change or strengthening in ECD will ensure that girls and boys are nurtured in a supportive environment and helped to thrive and develop to their fullest potential.
• How practitioners can prioritise early detection and prevention of MHPSS problems in childhood to provide age-appropriate interventions.
• How practitioners can promote MHPSS programmes that include integration across services in the child’s ecosystem including supporting parents with a particular emphasis on adolescent parents, parents with disability and in other challenging circumstances.
• Innovation in ECD approaches.

Topic 3:

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Anecdotal evidence shows that there was an increase in GBV and that lack of appropriate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information sharing and service provision during the COVID-19 epidemic may have led to an increase in the number of adolescents that fell pregnant during the past year. Research has shown that adolescent mothers are more likely to contract HIV and that this has a ripple effect on the child. The topic will consider.

• Research evidence in this area.
• How organisations are responding to early and unintended pregnancies, gender based violence, child marriage and other SRHR related issues.
• Innovation in responding to adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• How organisations are promoting the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of adolescent mothers and fathers.

Topic 4:

Protection and Sustainable Livelihoods

Research highlights the negative long-term impacts of abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of girls, boys and youth. Studies also increasingly show that psychosocial support interventions combined with approaches that strengthen livelihoods are an effective protective mechanism against abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation. The topic will focus on.

• The role of psychosocial support in strengthening national and community systems for prevention and response to violence against children.
• Innovative ways of integrating MHPSS in protection and sustainable livelihoods programmes.
• Understanding the role of mental health and psychosocial support in the child justice system

Abstract Submission Process

• Ghanzi Regional deadline 15-09-2021
• Kasane National Forum deadline 25-09-2021
• Abstract title: 50 words
• Abstract text: 350 words

Abstracts can only be submitted online to the following emails: david.kanje@repssi.org and klebotse@gov.bw .

A technical review panel consisting of members from the partner organisations and other leading subject matter experts will be established to review and select abstract for presentation.