The Collaborative will continue its mission to strengthen mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for children, young people and those closest to them experiencing adversity.
The MHPSS Collaborative will move to a smaller, project-based operating model from 1 October 2026 as it prepares to become an independent organisation. Its mission remains unchanged, with collaboration, participatory research, advocacy and learning at the heart of its work.
The changes reflect reduced available funding and the conclusion in 2026 of the core funding provided through the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Save the Children Denmark and Danida. Under the new model, the Collaborative will engage consultants for individual projects and assignments rather than maintain its current core staff structure.
The Collaborative will complete its continuing funded work and will discuss the implications for individual partnerships directly with those concerned. Reduced capacity will also mean stepping back from most unfunded working-group and advisory roles.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Collaborative has been hosted by Save the Children Denmark, with core support through its partnership with Danida. This support made it possible to build an organisation dedicated to bringing research, knowledge and practice closer together in support of children’s and young people’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. The Collaborative is deeply grateful to both organisations for their vision and support.
The Collaborative’s vision remains a future where children, young people and those closest to them, experiencing adversity, shape the systems that support their mental health and wellbeing. It will continue to bring together communities, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and donors to help build systems of prevention and care, and to shift power, resources and decision-making towards those affected by adversity.
The new structure changes the scale and range of activities the Collaborative can undertake, but not its commitment to that vision. It remains open to future collaborations, projects and consultancies that align with its mission and can be delivered through the new operating model.
Kate Harris and Deepali Pavagadhi have each decided to leave the Collaborative whilst Deepali will stay affiliated. For over five years, Kate & Deepali have played a crucial role in the evolution of the Collaborative and team, and we are very grateful for the expertise and commitment they have brought to our work. Victor Ugo and Louise Juul Hansen will continue as consultants to finalise current commitments. I will remain as director, working reduced hours. We have also just contracted a part-time programme manager, Maria Barkholt for six months to oversee and support implementation of our ongoing projects.
For questions, please contact Marie Dahl, Director at ma*@*******et.dk
