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January 27, 20260 citationsOpen Access

An Action Research Study: Assessing the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Needs of Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Northern Nigeria

Key Points

To assess the mental health and psychosocial support needs of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Northern Nigeria.
Conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 42 female survivors.
Engaged 28 key stakeholders through participatory workshops for data analysis and intervention formulation.
Utilized a cyclical and participatory methodology over two years.
Identified severe post-traumatic stress and depression among survivors.
Highlighted social stigmatization and erosion of traditional support systems.
Survivors prioritized integrated services that combine mental healthcare with livelihood support and community initiatives.

Abstract

This action research study, conducted from 2023 to 2025, investigated the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Northern Nigeria. The protracted insurgency has caused widespread CRSV, yet a critical gap persists in contextually relevant, survivor-centred MHPSS. Employing a cyclical, participatory methodology, the research engaged 42 female survivors across three local government areas in Borno State via in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. To ensure rigour and co-design, parallel participatory workshops were conducted with 28 key stakeholders, including local healthcare providers, community leaders, and non-governmental organisation representatives, to collaboratively analyse data and formulate interventions. Findings revealed a complex syndemic of trauma, manifesting as severe post-traumatic stress, depression, and profound social stigmatisation, exacerbated by the erosion of traditional support structures. Survivors prioritised integrated services combining clinical mental healthcare with practical livelihood support and community-based reconciliation initiatives. The iterative research cycles directly informed the pilot implementation of a culturally adapted, multi-component MHPSS framework within two existing primary healthcare centres. This study underscores the imperative for African public health systems to develop integrated, community-embedded MHPSS models that address both the clinical and social determinants of recovery. It argues for a move beyond a purely biomedical approach to foster sustainable healing and social reintegration for CRSV survivors.

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