Mental Health and Human Rights Info HHRI

10/10/2026

What does meaningful mental health support look like for people who have been forced to flee their homes? We need to listen to those who have lived through it.

To mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, MHHRI has invited Olga Acharadze to share her perspective on why lived experience matters when planning mental health support for refugees.

This year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, reminds us that listening should lead to action. People’s experiences can help us understand barriers to support, recognise what helps and develop services that respond to their needs.

Refugees bring knowledge, strengths and perspectives that should help shape the support available to them.

World Health Organization (WHO) Norsk-ukrainsk hjelpeorganisasjon

09/10/2026

MHHRI warmly congratulates Navi Pillay on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

This award recognises her lifelong commitment to human rights, justice and accountability. It also brings much-needed hope for humanity in these times.

We especially honour her contribution to addressing sexual and gender-based violence in war and conflict and her work to defend the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and hold those responsible for grave violations accountable.

Her work carries a message central to ours: survivors must be heard, their dignity respected and their rights protected.

06/10/2026

Three studies have examined possible biological traces of trauma, including altered cortisol levels in newborn babies and epigenetic changes. Such changes may affect the body’s stress-response system and create greater vulnerability to later stress and adversity.

📌Supportive relationships, safe living conditions and appropriate assistance can protect children and help interrupt the transmission of trauma between generations.

Read about this topic in our newsletter
👉https://tinyurl.com/a3b8wkxd

Mental Health and Human Rights Info

02/10/2026

We are pleased to announce the upcoming online launch of the new book: Disciplinary Frontiers of Human Rights in Higher Education -published by Cambridge University Press, 2026.

This volume explores human rights teaching and research across 13 disciplines and professional studies areas, examining how higher education engages—and can further engage—in human rights scholarship in an era of multidisciplinary human rights centers.

We are especially proud to highlight that Nora Sveaass, Board Chair of Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI), is one of the contributing authors in this publication.

▪Event Details:
▪Date: Friday, October 9
▪Time: 9:00 EDT / 15:00 CET
▪Format: Online

The event will be moderated by Jon Verriet (Netherlands UNESCO Commission) and will feature brief presentations by the editors—Cher Weixia Chen, Felisa Tibbitts, and Jonathan Liljeblad—along with five of the book's authors. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas surrounding multidisciplinary human rights education and research.

📌Please register in advance to receive the access link 👇
https://tinyurl.com/2mrmtrpf

This event is co-sponsored and organized by SIM/Utrecht University, George Mason University, Australian National University, the Netherlands UNESCO Commission, and the Dutch Soroptimists.

21/09/2026

🕊 Peace is more than the absence of war. It is also the presence of safety, dignity, justice, belonging and hope.

War, violence and human rights violations affect mental health, relationships and trust within communities. These consequences may continue long after the immediate violence has ended. Supporting mental health and psychosocial wellbeing is therefore an important part of building and sustaining peace.

This year, the International Day of Peace honours the “everyday architects of peace”—the people who create change through local action. They include community workers, teachers, health professionals, human rights defenders, volunteers, parents and neighbours who listen, support, protect dignity and help rebuild trust.

Everyday acts of care may not always be recognised as peacebuilding. Yet they can help restore human connection, strengthen communities and create the conditions in which lasting peace becomes possible.

Investing in peace is also investing in mental health for everyone, everywhere, every day!

18/09/2026

Takk for et informativt nettverksmøte hos Nok. Oslo. Det var fint å bli bedre kjent med organisasjonene og de ulike tilbudene som finnes for utsatte gutter og menn.

Vi snakket om:
• betydningen av tilgjengelige og anonyme lavterskeltilbud
• hvordan vi bedre kan nå utsatte som i dag ikke oppsøker hjelp
• utfordringer for skeive, migranter og personer i religiøse eller lukkede miljøer
• behovet for godt samarbeid og trygge henvisninger mellom organisasjonene
Vi arbeider på forskjellige måter og møter ulike målgrupper, men deler et felles mål: at flere skal bli sett, trodd og få den hjelpen de trenger. Det å kjenne hverandre og vite hvor vi kan henvise videre gjør oss bedre i stand til å hjelpe.

Dette er et åpent nettverk for organisasjoner som arbeider med gutter og menn utsatt for seksuell vold og seksuelle overgrep. Dersom din organisasjon ønsker å delta i nettverket, send oss gjerne en melding, så legger vi dere til kontaktlisten.

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15/09/2026

Thank you for a powerful and important seminar – "What about the boys?"

We at MHHRI would particularly like to thank everyone who shared their personal stories about difficult experiences, as well as the path forward. It made a lasting impression.

One of our key takeaways is how crucial it is to see not only the person directly affected, but also their family and loved ones. Sexual abuse impacts relationships, families, and those surrounding the survivor, and they too need to be seen, understood, and supported.

Thank you to Utsattmann.no for inviting us into this collaboration, and for the opportunity to connect with other organizations working on behalf of boys and men affected by sexual abuse.

There is still a great deal of shame and silence surrounding men’s experiences with sexual abuse. That is why meeting spaces like this are so vital.

Together, we can raise awareness on this issue, learn from one another, and stand stronger.
Helsedirektoratet Nok. Oslo Reform - ressurssenter for menn Landsforeningen mot seksuelle overgrep Dixi Ressurssenter and Senter for seksuelt misbrukte menn

10/09/2026

📌Change the Narrative: September 10 –

Mental health is a human right. Governments must ensure access to mental health and psychosocial support, especially for young people, LGBTQIA+ people and communities affected by climate-related crises.

Research shows that every dollar invested in mental health can bring a fourfold return through better health and productivity. Even when aid budgets are reduced, these services must remain a public responsibility, not an optional expense.

More info and resources 🔗👇
https://www.hhri.org/

07/09/2026

International Society for Health and Human Rights - ISHHR is inviting you to submit a paper for the 12th ISHHR Conference for Health and Human Rights.

This international gathering brings together a global network of clinicians, advocates, researchers, educators, and front-line workers to explore "The Role of Ceremony and Culture in Healing" in the context of human rights abuses and trauma recovery.

▪Dates: May 4–7, 2027

▪Approach: Culture-based and ceremonial approaches to healing, with a special emphasis on intergenerational trauma and indigeneity.

▪Who Should Attend: Indigenous leaders, health and social welfare professionals, service providers, legal experts, students, and civil society organizers supporting survivors of traumatic events.

📌Call for Papers
Share your clinical, advocacy, or scholarly expertise. The extended deadline to submit abstract proposals is October 1, 2026.

For abstract submissions and registration details, visit 👇
https://ishhr.com