IASC, Who is Where, When, doing What in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (4W Tool), 2014
The IASC Reference group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support developed a 4Ws tool to map MHPSS activities in humanitarian settings across sectors. This tool can be used by groups with MHPSS coordination responsibilities in emergencies with numerous MHPSS actors.
The tool exists of 2 parts:
- A 4Ws Data Collection Spreadsheet application, available at http://mhpss.net/4Ws1
- A manual on data collection
This 4Ws tool for MHPSS is useful for the following:
a) Providing a big picture of the size and nature of the MHPSS response
b) Identifying gaps in the MHPSS response to enable coordinated action
c) Enabling referral by making information available about who is where, when, doing what
d) Informing appeal processes (e.g. Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP))
e) Improving transparency and legitimacy of MHPSS through structured documentation
f) Improving possibilities for reviewing patterns of practice and for drawing lessons for future response