February 2021 – This report was launched by SOS Norway and addresses how to support early childhood and mental health through parents and caregivers, focusing on low- and middle-income countries, and sub-Saharan Africa primarily.
The report resulted from a desk study that reviewed a large body of research and reports on mental health, early childhood development (ECD), and parenting programs in low- and middle-income countries. The overall evidence suggests that interventions that provide holistic support in several domains have best effect, although these may be more expensive and demand more cooperation. Where possible, one should build on existing preventive and promotive structures and systems, such as maternal health, education, humanitarian, and non-communicable disease policies, and integrate nurturing care to ensure multi-sectorial efforts and a holistic approach. The mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of parents is important for ECD, but may need more particular attention in programs. There seems to be a potential for a better link between the two in programs to support ECD and mental health.
There is a brief report and a full version available for download.