West Bank: World Vision Launches Impact-Proven Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Project
World Vision has launched a new Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) project aimed at strengthening the emotional wellbeing of vulnerable children, adolescents, caregivers, and adults across the West Bank. The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and builds on the convincing results of the recently completed Enhanced Access to MHPSS Services for Vulnerable Communities in Areas C and B project.
Communities in the West Bank continue to face significant challenges, including economic hardship, exposure to violence, limited access to essential services, and severe restrictions on movement. For many households, these conditions create stress and anxiety and foster persistent uncertainty about the future, while reducing opportunities for social interaction. Together, these pressures place a heavy psychological burden on families and can severely affect their mental health.
The new project aims to address these needs by expanding access to quality psychological support and strengthening community‑based systems of care. It will operate across 23 communities in Areas B and C, including the Jordan Valley, Salfeet, and Nablus. Over the next 30 months, it will provide comprehensive psychological support to 8,686 community members.
MHPSS with a Proven Impact
The programme builds on evidence‑based approaches that supported thousands of families under the previous phase, including Psychological First Aid (PFA), Group Problem Management Plus (GPM+), Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE), structured psychosocial activities for children, and specialised counselling for individuals requiring higher‑level care.
This new phase is implemented in partnership with the East Jerusalem YMCA (EJ‑YMCA) and the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for the Victims of Torture (TRC), two leading community‑based mental health actors in the occupied Palestinian territory The project will invest in Training of Trainers, institutional capacity strengthening, and staff wellbeing to ensure long‑term sustainability.
Localising Psychosocial Services in the Community
“This project represents a qualitative shift in making mental health services accessible and sustainable at the community level. It invests in strengthening the capacities of local facilitators using World Health Organization‑approved methodologies, contributing to improved service quality for vulnerable groups. The impact goes beyond numbers; it strengthens community awareness, reduces stigma, and creates a supportive environment that enables children, adolescents, and caregivers to recover and thrive”, said YMCA Project Coordinator Raed Theeb.
TRC Project Coordinator Mariam Ali added, “TRC is proud to partner with World Vision and YMCA‑EJ on this project, which plays a vital role in supporting the emotional and psychosocial wellbeing of children and families in the northern Jordan Valley. By strengthening the skills of caregivers and community workers, we are helping build resilient communities where children can thrive. The project’s impact extends from Nassariyya to Al‑Jiftlik, creating meaningful change in the daily lives of those most in need.”
As regional military escalation creates further uncertainty in the West Bank, children, youth, and caregivers need access to inclusive, community‑based mental health services more than ever. World Vision and its partners remain committed to providing this essential support during these challenging times.
About the Partners
World Vision Jerusalem – West Bank
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. World Vision started working in Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1975. In 2025, our programmes in the West Bank reached more than half a million people, including 346,000 children.
YMCA East Jerusalem (EJYMCA)
The East Jerusalem YMCA is a leading Palestinian civil society organisation with decades of community service experience. It provides psychosocial, vocational, and youth empowerment programmes across the West Bank. EJYMCA is well known for its Rehabilitation Programme supporting traumatically affected individuals. The organisation uses evidence‑based mental health approaches and builds local capacities. Its mission centres on resilience, social cohesion, and reducing mental health stigma.
Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for the Victims of Torture (TRC)
The Treatment and Rehabilitation Center is a Palestinian nonprofit specialising in trauma‑informed mental health care. It provides counselling, psychosocial support, and capacity-building for caregivers and community workers. TRC operates in underserved areas, including the northern Jordan Valley. The centre focuses on strengthening emotional wellbeing and family resilience. Its work helps communities create safe, supportive environments where children and adults can thrive.