Who is Where, When, doing What (4Ws) in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: Manual with Activity Codes

Humanitarian actors in emergencies often encounter challenges in knowing Who is Where, When, doing What (4Ws) with regard to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Such knowledge is essential to inform coordination. 4Ws tools are used in many areas of aid to map activities conducted across large geographical areas. 4Ws tools generally aim to map supports by government and non-governmental agencies, including preemergency services and supports.

The IASC Reference group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support has developed a 4Ws tool to map MHPSS activities in humanitarian settings across sectors. It is envisioned that this tool will be used by groups with MHPSS coordination responsibilities in emergencies with numerous MHPSS actors. The tool exists of 2 parts:

(a) A 4Ws Data Collection Spreadsheet application (in Excel), available at mhpss.net/4Ws1

(b) This manual, which describes how to collect the data.