Field Staff Reflections on the First Year (+) of Psychosocial Support Group Program Implementation

Background 
This evaluation assessed the first year (+) of implementation of the Psychosocial Support (PSS) Group Program across nine MSF-OCBA projects. The purpose was to assess field teams’ perceptions regarding the relevance, effectiveness, and integration of PSS groups within the broader Mental 
Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) framework. The findings aim to inform potential scaling, adjustment of implementation tools, and strategic positioning of the intervention within MSF’s regular programming. 

A qualitative approach was adopted, comprising 24 remote semi-structured interviews with staff responsible for managing and implementing the PSS groups, including MHAMs, MH supervisors, and project staff. Complementary desk reviews were conducted. As limitations we highlight that this report relies of MSF staff perceptions, lacking participants and community feedback.

Conclusion
The PSS group program is broadly endorsed by field staff for its value in addressing psychosocial needs, enhancing emotional resilience, and promoting early identification of vulnerable individuals. While implementation challenges remain—especially at Level 3—the commitment to adaptation and continuous learning positions the program as a promising, scalable intervention within MSF’s MHPSS strategy. Assessing participants’ and community perceptions of the relevance, effectiveness, and impact of PSS group programs—and triangulating these insights with the current evaluation findings—will be key to ensuring the program’s success