Mental Health and Peacebuilding | Rowda Olad | Episode 37

In today's peacebuilding landscape, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) have emerged as essential components. Any peacebuilding or reconciliation initiative that overlooks MHPSS neglects a crucial aspect of holistic peacebuilding, which should be trauma-informed and human-centered rather than solely technical.

In this episode of the Think Peace Podcast, host Colette Rausch engages in a conversation with Rowda Olad, the founder and clinical director of Maandeeq Mental Health based in Mogadishu, Somalia. Maandeeq is a nonprofit organization that aims to integrate mental health and trauma healing into the realm of peacebuilding and community development.

Rowda shares her motivations for pioneering this work in Somalia, highlighting the necessity for implementing trauma-informed practices within Western peacebuilding approaches. The episode delves into the importance of MHPSS in fostering sustainable peace and shares Rowda's aspirations for the future of MHPSS-based initiatives.