The Czech government, the Czech Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Czech Ministry of Interior (MoI) have acknowledged mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for refugees from Ukraine as an important component of the humanitarian response. Despite their support to refugees from Ukraine in providing them with the essential basic services such as accommodation, livelihood, health services and education (social determinants of mental health), MHPSS response is still facing some challenges.

The integration of peacebuilding and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is a new field that is receiving increased attention from policy makers, local and international civil society organisations and donors. The authors conducted pilot studies in four countries over a 4-year period using a co-creation process.

These joint reflections are from Jane, who designed and delivered the workshops for Afghani refugee women, and Khatera, one of the participants, who supported and helped with communication in advance and throughout. They describe the main elements of the workshops and their impact. The workshops acknowledged the enormous losses and traumas the women had experienced, but also looked at ways of keeping hope alive and the importance of recognising and building on the strengths and resilience the women already had. The workshops were organised by the International Bar Association, UK.

In developing the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, attention to social process was key for success. In retrospect, humility was crucial for reflecting on one’s own dogmas, opening up to different points of view and avoiding ideological fixity and unproductive debates. Inclusivity was the key for enabling learning from diverse perspectives and areas of expertise, drawing on understandings from different countries and developing richly contextual approaches.