Integration of MHPSS in post-war transitional justice: A case study of Sri Lanka's 2016 public consultations on and implementation of reconciliation mechanisms

Abstract

There is currently significant interest in the fields of global peacebuilding, development and humanitarian assistance in the integration of Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) with peacebuilding. This article offers a case study of Sri Lanka's experiences of MHPSS integration in its post-war transitional justice and reconciliation process, describing how MHPSS considerations were incorporated into national consultation to design state reconciliation mechanisms and in their subsequent implementation. It offers a critical reflection on the integration of MHPSS and assesses whether this was sufficient to respond to the needs of survivors and affected groups during the consultations and beyond.