Towards advancing psychosocial justice : strengthening mental health support through the psychosocial wellness programme

Abstract

Violence continues to leave deep psychological and social scars in many communities, creating urgent needs for accessible, context-sensitive mental health support programmes and systems. Through the Psychosocial Wellness Programme (PWP) at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), efforts have been made to advance psychosocial wellness by strengthening holistic care systems for violence-affected individuals and communities. Recognizing that unresolved trauma undermines leadership effectiveness and sustainability, the programme addresses the interconnectedness of personal healing, self-awareness, and transformative leadership. This practice brief captures key experiences from implementing psychosocial interventions that prioritize healing, resilience, and empowerment that are useful in informing evidence-based policy recommendations. It outlines the overview of PWP, the context, its implementation, participant engagement strategies, methodology, discussion and summary analysis of findings, the outcomes achieved, and the lessons learned. There is also a section linking evidence to policy recommendations and the policy recommendations based on evidence for practitioners seeking to bridge mental health care with social justice frameworks in South Africa and similar contexts. By centering survivor agency, addressing structural inequalities, and fostering collective healing, the PWP contributes meaningfully to the broader goal of building safer, healthier, and more equitable societies.