StrongerTogether
StrongerTogether is a modular, whole-family mental health and psychosocial support approach for families affected by conflict and crisis.
Why
Parents and caregivers play a critical role in children's emotional wellbeing during crisis and as they rebuild their lives. Conflict can disrupt family life, expose children and caregivers to fear and loss, and place enormous pressure on caregivers. When caregivers are struggling with their own stress, it can be harder to provide the sense of safety and stability children need.
While many programmes focus on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children or parents separately, few take a whole-family approach. We work with families as a unit, helping them strengthen relationships, overcome challenges together and create a supportive environment where children can thrive.
Research shows that StrongerTogether supports families people living with conflict
A randomised controlled trial of families in Lebanon in 2026 found that the group using StrongerTogether improved significantly more than the control group on adolescent-reported family functioning, caregiver mental health, caregiver well-being, and parenting.
Latest news from StrongerTogether
- Mental health and psychosocial support
‘Sawa Aqwa’ (StrongerTogether): A multi‐site randomized controlled trial of a brief family systemic intervention for adolescent mental health in Lebanon
There are no evaluated family-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions for adolescents in Southwest Asia (known as the Middle East), and few whole-family interventions in low- and middle-income countries, despite consistent evidence for the impact of family support on mental health and well-being. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief family systemic mental health intervention, deliverable by non-specialists in mental health.
- Mental health and psychosocial support
A family-systemic intervention for mental health with refugees in Jordan: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial of StrongerTogether
Forced displacement heightens mental health risks for children, including psychological, environmental and economic stressors, yet few interventions address whole-family needs within humanitarian contexts.
- Mental health and psychosocial support
The social ecology of adolescent mental health in humanitarian settings: A qualitative study
The social-ecological context of adolescent mental health, particularly adolescents living through humanitarian crises, is understudied. There is a pressing need for such research to inform the development of contextualised systemic interventions for this population.
- Mental health and psychosocial support
Nurturing families: A feasibility randomised controlled trial of a whole-family intervention with vulnerable families in Jordan
Armed conflict and forced displacement can significantly strain nurturing family environments, which are essential for child well-being. Yet, limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of family-systemic interventions in these contexts. This study conducted a two-arm, single-masked, feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (fRCT) of a whole-family intervention with Syrian, Iraqi and Jordanian families in Jordan.
- Mental health and psychosocial support
Family systemic psychosocial support for at risk adolescents in Lebanon: study protocol for a multi-site randomised controlled trial
This study identifies a scarcity of research on effective approaches for preventing and treating psychological distress in this population, particularly in humanitarian settings. Through the development of a brief family systemic psychosocial support intervention to be delivered through existing child protection systems with non-specialist facilitators, this paper outlines the study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of the intervention in Lebanon.
- Mental health and psychosocial support
A Systematic Review of the Evidence for Family and Parenting Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Child and Youth Mental Health Outcomes
This review presents evidence for family and parent-focused interventions on mental health outcomes for children and youth in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) and identifies treatment components present in promising interventions.
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