Psychosocial Support

The best form of psychosocial support is a healthy family and supportive environment, preferably in the child's community of origin, or one that is culturally similar. Psychosocial well-being is a product of multiple support, which is rooted in the ability to form healthy relationships and participate in community networks.

However, certain considerations may be required in order to help children and caretakers come to terms with life-changing events, such as the loss of a parent. Separation can be highly stressful for children, particularly if it is unexpected, or repeated. Some children may experience anxiety, attachment problems, sleep disturbances, dependency issues, regression, and a range of other behavioural issues which threaten their mental health and development.

Specific types of support may be required for children suffering from loss, severe or chronic ill health, abuse or exploitation. The child’s experience, age, resilience, and the level of support received from the family and community will determine if a child needs external services. A child is far less likely to experience psychosocial stress if they have good natural support mechanisms and therefore protection efforts should focus on supporting families and communities to help each other.

When psychosocial support is needed, an assessment is important in determining the scope and type of issues, the existing family and community resources, and analysis of how these can be strengthened. Clinical mental health interventions such as therapy, psychiatry or psychological counseling, should only be provided by trained professionals after a clinical assessment and, in all cases, should be culturally relevant.

Psychosocial activities must promote the children’s development and their relationships with others, re-establish routines, increase self confidence and sense of control over their lives. Children’s activities, such as the provision of safe places, group work or referrals to specialists, should be designed around the child’s individual needs, age, gender, and cultural identity. Interventions should be empowering, inclusive, and fully integrated with wider community efforts. Children’s participation is essential in psychosocial work; children should be encouraged to express their opinions, and to have these taken into account.

The literature found here describes the psychosocial effects of separation, and other threats to children such as HIV/AIDS, conflict, abuse and exploitation, and provides guidance and examples of psychosocial interventions.

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Caregiver’s experiences in supporting trauma-affected foster children in South Africa

Rosemary Madzore, Lina M. Methi, 24 Jul 2025

This study explores the experiences and challenges of caregivers providing trauma-informed care to foster children in a South African care facility. Findings highlight the emotional and practical difficulties faced by caregivers and emphasize the need for targeted training and support to strengthen their capacity and well-being.

Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health: 2024 Annual Report

UNICEF and Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health, 01 Jun 2025

The 2024 Annual Report of the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health highlights the Coalition’s expanding efforts to address the global mental health needs of children, youth, and caregivers.

Interventional Model to Support Teen Mothers

Hope and Homes for Children (HHC), 30 Jan 2025

The Teenage Mother project is an intervention model to support teen mothers, developed by Hope and Homes for Children (HHC) in Rwanda. The documents provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges faced by teen mothers, the prioritization of causal factors, and the implementation of the Active Family Support (AFS) model to address these challenges.

How Is Therapeutic Residential Care Constructed Within Key Policy Documents?

Lynne McPherson, Antonia Canosa, Kathomi Gatwiri, Donnah Anderson, Kylie Day, Robbie Gilligan, Anne Graham, Janise Mitchell, Tim Moore7 | Meaghan Vosz, 31 Oct 2024

This paper reports on a national policy analysis in Australia exploring how therapeutic residential care (TRC) is constructed in policy documents. One hundred and thirty-two relevant policy documents were analysed to identify the practices and the conditions that facilitate the development of relationships and connections.

Mental and Neurodevelopmental Health Needs of Aboriginal Children With Experience of Out-of-Home Care: A Western Australian Data-Linkage Study

Benjamin Harrap, Alison Gibberd, Melissa O’Donnell, Jocelyn Jones, Richard Chenhall, Bridgette McNamara, Koen Simons, Sandra Eades, 24 Sep 2024

The objective of this study was to identify additional mental and neurodevelopmental health needs of Aboriginal children born in Western Australia, who are placed in out-of-home care (OOHC), relative to Aboriginal children born in Western Australia who were not placed.

The Direct Effect of Basic Need Services, and Social Support on Positive Mental Health Among Institutionalized Children: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital

Adane K. Melese, Athena Pedro, Nceba Z. Somhlaba , 22 Aug 2024

This study aimed to investigate the direct impact of perceived social support, basic need services, and Psychological Capital on the mental health of children in childcare settings in Ethiopia.

Hope Groups: a protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial of psychosocial, mental health, and parenting support groups for Ukrainian caregivers during war and conflict

Sydney Tucker, Nicole Baldonado, Olha Ruina, Oliver Ratmann, et. al, 01 Jul 2024

This study protocol outlines the first randomized controlled trial of Hope Groups—a 12-session psychosocial, mental health, and parenting support program—among Ukrainians affected by war. The trial aims to assess its impact on caregiver mental health, violence prevention, and family well-being, with potential for global adaptation and scale-up in other crisis-affected settings if proven effective.

Effects of Early Institutionalization Involving Psychosocial Deprivation on Cognitive Functioning 60 Years Later: Findings of the LifeStories Project

Hannah Sand, Fabio Sticca, Flavia M. Wehrle, Dominique A. Eichelberger, Heidi Simoni, Oskar G. Jenni, Patricia Lannen, 30 Jun 2024

The purpose of this longitudinal study conducted on institutionalized infants and toddlers in Switzerland from 1958 to 1961 and then 60 years later on the same group, is to investigate the effects of psychosocial deprivation on cognitive functioning in late adulthood.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing a Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children Impacted by Trauma Within a Residential Treatment Facility

David Lindenbach, Alida Anderson, Emily Wang, Madison Heintz, Melissa Rowbotham, Jill Ehrenreich-May, Paul D. Arnold, Gina Dimitropoulos, 26 Apr 2024

This research project was an open trial examining the feasibility of utilizing the Unified Protocol (UP) -- a form of cognitive behavioral therapy -- within a residential treatment facility in Calgary, Canada for children involved with child welfare authorities who often have limited caregiver involvement.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing a Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children Impacted by Trauma Within a Residential Treatment Facility

In Sync or Out of Tune? How Do Differences in Adolescent and Caregiver Reports of Adolescent ACEs Relate to Adolescent Depression?: A Cross-Sectional Study

Tatiana Ndjatou, Yuqing Qiu, Linda M. Gerber, Jane Chang, 26 Apr 2024

The purpose of this U.S.-based study was to compare adolescent and caregiver reports of adolescent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their relationship with current adolescent depression and to analyze the relationship between ACEs and depression.