Collective Framework for Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and Social-Emotional Learning (SMAPS + ASE)

Over the last decade, scientific evidence on the impact of crises on the subjective well-being of children and adolescents and the general population has made Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) strategies a mandatory component of response frameworks. These actions are understood as ‘policies, plans, programmes and interventions that aim to protect or promote socio-emotional and psychosocial well-being and prevent and treat mental health problems’.

Recently in Venezuela, due to the vulnerabilities associated with the economic crisis and the risks to human mobility, disruptions caused by lockdowns and the temporary closure of schools, institutional efforts by different sectors to address these needs are growing and diversifying.

However, activities are not always carried out in a coordinated and coherent manner, which reduces the quality and scope of actions, fragments the response and does not ensure a comprehensive approach to the emotional, psychosocial and mental well-being of those affected.

Based on the global guidelines of the IASC, this framework was developed for all organisations and sectors involved to guide a new way of working in Venezuela around SMAPS+ASE.