The impact of peacebuilding public programmes on mental health of victims of the conflict: the case of Colombia

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War and conflict have been identified as one of the keydrivers of mental disorders in low-and-middle-incomecountries. Despite extensive research on the impact ofconflict, few studies have attempted to understand howinitiatives to build peace and end conflict contribute to themental health of populations affected by war. This projectaims to address this gap.Colombia, one of the largest countries in South America,endured a civil conflict that lasted more than 50 years andleft over nine million people registered as victims. The caseof Colombia is a unique opportunity to study the effects ofpeacebuilding interventions on mental health. The specificobjectives of this study are 1) To examine whether it ispossible, through a major psychological programme, toaddress the mental health consequences of war on victimsof the conflict; and 2) To determine if a programme thatreduces poverty by increasing opportunities for educationand employment improve the mental health of youngpeople in conflict-affected areas.To address both objectives, I will use several healthsurveys and longitudinal data that have not been exploredyet and analyse them using quasi-experimental techniques.Sustainable peace is difficult to achieve if there is nopsychosocial well-being. Thus, informing if and howpeacebuilding policies contribute to promoting mentalhealth is key for all peacebuilding efforts