Call for Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and Child-Friendly Spaces Initiative (Mexico)

Deadline: 13-Sep-2026

UNICEF Mexico is seeking a specialized civil society organization (CSO) to establish a standby partnership for delivering mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) during emergencies. The partnership is intended to ensure that qualified technical and operational capacity is available for rapid activation when children, adolescents, families, and caregivers are affected by disasters, violence, or forced displacement in Mexico. What Is the UNICEF Mexico Standby Partnership? The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking to identify and preselect a specialized civil society organization in Mexico with demonstrated expertise in emergency mental health and psychosocial support and the establishment and management of Child-Friendly Spaces. The purpose is to create a standby partnership, rather than immediately launch emergency activities. Once established, the partnership would provide UNICEF with a qualified organization that can be activated quickly if an emergency requiring MHPSS services occurs in Mexico. Why Is This Partnership Needed? Mexico experiences a range of emergencies that can significantly affect children and families, including: These events can cause psychological distress, disrupt family and community support systems, and increase protection risks for children and adolescents. Early integration of MHPSS into emergency response can help affected populations access appropriate psychological and social support from the earliest stages of a crisis. What Is Mental Health and Psychosocial Support? Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) refers to interventions that protect or promote psychological wellbeing and prevent or address mental health conditions during humanitarian emergencies. Emergency MHPSS generally follows a tiered approach, ranging from basic services and community support to specialized mental health care. This approach helps ensure that support is matched to the needs and level of vulnerability of affected children, adolescents, and caregivers. What Are Child-Friendly Spaces? Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) are safe environments where children and adolescents can access structured activities, psychosocial support, social interaction, and protection services during emergencies. They are particularly valuable because they can be established and deployed relatively quickly following a crisis. Child-Friendly Spaces should be designed around principles including: Safe and appropriate services for children and adolescents. The organization must be capable of working according to recognized international standards for humanitarian response and child protection. How the Standby Partnership Will Work The arrangement is designed around preparedness and rapid activation.

Phase 1: Organization Selection

UNICEF will identify and preselect a qualified Mexican civil society organization with the required technical expertise and operational capacity.

Phase 2: Partnership Agreement

A Programme Cooperation Agreement will be established between UNICEF and the selected organization. This creates the framework required for cooperation before an emergency occurs.

Phase 3: Standby Capacity

The organization maintains the personnel, systems, expertise, and operational arrangements necessary to respond when activated.

Phase 4: Emergency Activation

If UNICEF declares an emergency in Mexico requiring MHPSS support, the standby partnership can be activated.

Phase 5: Rapid Response

The organization can then deploy appropriate MHPSS interventions and Child-Friendly Spaces in coordination with UNICEF and relevant stakeholders. Who Is the Opportunity For? The call is intended for a civil society organization based in Mexico with specialized expertise in: Mental health. Psychosocial support. Emergency response. Child protection. Child-Friendly Spaces. Humanitarian programming. Organizations should be able to demonstrate the technical and operational capacity necessary to provide safe and effective services to children and adolescents during emergencies. Key Areas of Organizational Capacity A strong organization should be able to demonstrate capacity in several areas. Technical Expertise The organization should have experience designing and delivering MHPSS interventions, particularly for children, adolescents, families, and caregivers. Emergency Response Capacity The organization should have systems that allow it to mobilize personnel and resources rapidly following an emergency. Child Protection Standards All activities must prioritize children’s safety and protection from exploitation, abuse, discrimination, and other risks. Child-Friendly Space Management The organization should understand how to establish, manage, monitor, and safely operate Child-Friendly Spaces in emergency environments. Coordination The selected partner will need to work effectively with UNICEF and relevant national and local stakeholders. Why It Matters Children and adolescents can experience significant emotional and psychological effects following disasters, violence, displacement, and other emergencies. A pre-established partnership can reduce delays between an emergency occurring and the delivery of appropriate psychosocial assistance.

The standby model can help UNICEF:

Identify a qualified response partner in advance. Establish operational arrangements before a crisis. Reduce response delays. Strengthen emergency preparedness. Provide structured MHPSS services. Establish Child-Friendly Spaces rapidly. Strengthen child protection during emergencies. Support children, adolescents, families, and caregivers. What the Partnership Does Not Mean This opportunity is not primarily for immediate emergency implementation. The purpose is to establish a partnership and ensure that the necessary technical and operational capacity is available before an emergency occurs. Actual program activities would be activated if UNICEF declares an emer