Follow-up Session (2025) - MHPSS in Accountability Mechanisms for Atrocity Crimes

On Wednesday 19 March 2025, a follow-up meeting took place on the 2024 report ‘Integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Approaches in Accountability Mechanisms for Atrocity Crimes’. This session, organized by the Dutch MFA and KPSRL, assessed progress in the sector on the recommendations with speakers from the ICC and Stanford University.

Some key findings:

• The integration of MHPSS approaches in accountability mechanisms constitutes benefits for the justice process, in addition to the obligation to Do No Harm.
• MHPSS integration is also a critical tool to improve well-being of witnesses and victims involved, enhance the quality of evidence and prevent vicarious and secondary trauma of professionals involved.
• To be effective and efficient, MHPSS approaches should be integrated in the design of the mechanism, from the start.
• There is need for awareness raising and training of psychosocial and legal experts, investigators and other professionals involved to support the integration of MHPSS, among other measures to be taken.
• The need for better developed staff support is a central component of an MHPSS approach.