Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI)

What Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) does

Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) is a Norwegian non-profit organization founded in 2003 and headquartered in Oslo, with a regional office in Ukraine established in 2022. The organization operates a free, open-access resource database on the mental health consequences of human rights violations in contexts of disaster, war, and conflict. Its core content is a portfolio of three culturally validated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Training Manuals — for Women (originally launched 2016), Children, and Boys and Men (both launched 2023) — supplemented by thematic pages on PTSD, torture, refugees and asylum seekers, LGBTIQ+ rights, human rights defenders, and disaster, plus downloadable resources such as the Butterfly Woman and Dragonfly metaphorical materials and GBV toolboxes of practical exercises. Materials are localized into 20+ languages including English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Nepalese, Ukrainian, Mongolian, and others.

MHHRI's technology surface is a primarily digital, non-proprietary stack: a public website (hhri.org), a searchable database, multilingual PDF manuals, newsletters distributed to approximately 400,000 subscribers, video guides in multiple languages, and — since 2024 — a self-paced GBV Online E-Training Platform that issues certificates on assessment completion. Distribution is delivered through a Training of Trainers model channeled via partner NGOs including FORUT (Sri Lanka, Nepal, India — 28 trainings, 800+ participants in 2024), the Norwegian Refugee Council (Ukraine — Helping the Helpers project), the Children and War Foundation (TRT courses for Palestinian aid workers in Cairo and Gaza), RVTS, Solidarity Hub, and others.

The business model is non-commercial: all resources, training materials, and e-training access are provided free of charge, with no disclosed pricing tiers. Operating revenue is grant-funded through institutional Norwegian sources — primarily the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norad, the Mental Health Project NGO parent, Fred. Olsen Social Engagement Group on behalf of Bonheur ASA, Stiftelsen Dam, HimalPartner, FORUT, Pecunia, and Stiftelsen Ship-Ring — supplemented by individual donors. The team numbers roughly seven staff including founder and chair Nora Sveaass (professor emeritus at the University of Oslo, former UN Committee against Torture member) and executive director Elisabeth Ng Langdal, supported by a broader volunteer network of psychiatrists, psychologists, and students. The organization is governed as a non-profit entity domiciled in Norway and does not publicly disclose revenue figures.

Name

Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI)

Legal name

Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI)

Website

https://hhri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MHHRI is a Norwegian non-profit that operates a free, multilingual open-access database and three GBV training manuals (Women, Children, Boys and Men) on the mental health consequences of human rights violations in conflict and disaster settings. It serves helpers, NGOs, and survivors worldwide through Training of Trainers programs backed by Norwegian institutional grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Training and Humanitarian Resources

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH), MHPSS & Trauma-Informed Support for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAJ), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF), Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

Keywords

• Mental health resources
• Gender-based violence training
• Humanitarian psychosocial support
• Conflict trauma recovery
• Open-access training manuals

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Funding: The organization is funded by the Mental Health Project, a Norwegian NGO dedicated to training and support to health professionals working within the field of human rights violations, conflict and health, and Fred. Olsen Social Engagement Group on behalf of Bonheur ASA.
2. Government Grants: Development of GBV training manuals is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bonheur ASA, DAM Foundation in collaboration with Rådet For Psykisk Helse.
3. Institutional Supporters: Support received from Norad, Stiftelsen Dam, HimalPartner, Forut, Pecunia, Stiftelsen Ship-Ring, and various individual donors and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MHHRI develops and disseminates open-access, multilingual training manuals and a curated resource database on the mental health consequences of human rights violations, gender-based violence, and trauma in conflict and disaster settings. Its core outputs are three Gender-Based Violence (GBV) training manuals (for women, children, and boys/men), supported by an online e-training platform with certification, GBV toolboxes, and Teaching Recovery Techniques courses. All resources are provided free of charge to helpers, professionals, NGOs, and survivors worldwide.

Product overview

Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) operates as a comprehensive open-access resource database and training organization focused on mental health and human rights in conflict and disaster settings. The core product is the resource database containing guidelines, manuals, and publications. The main product portfolio centers on three Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Training Manuals targeting Women, Children, and Boys and Men respectively, supplemented by an Online E-Training Platform with certification. Additional offerings include Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) training programs, thematic pages covering topics from PTSD to torture, specialized Ukraine Mental Health Resources, and regular newsletters. The organization also provides supporting materials including the Butterfly Woman and Dragonfly metaphorical resources and practical GBV Toolboxes. Materials are available in multiple languages to serve global populations affected by conflict and disaster.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GBV Training Manual for Women Training manual for helpers providing assistance to women who survive gender-based violence and sexual trauma during disasters, conflicts, and emergency situations. Available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Nepalese, Ukrainian, Norwegian, and Mongolian.
• GBV Training Manual for Children Handbook developed for helpers and caregivers with guidelines on how to provide culturally sensitive psychosocial support to children exposed to sexual abuse in war, conflict, humanitarian crisis, and low-resource communities. Available in English, Norwegian, Nepali, and Ukrainian.
• GBV Training Manual for Boys and Men Handbook explaining how trauma affects mental health, including methods and techniques for meeting the psychological needs of abused boys and men, illustrated through true stories. Available in English, Spanish, Nepali, Norwegian, and other languages.
• GBV Online E-Training Platform Self-paced online training platform offering certification for completing GBV training courses. Users can study materials and apply for certificates upon completion.
• MHHRI Resource Database Open-access online resource database providing free information about the mental health consequences of human rights violations in contexts of disaster, war, and conflict. Contains guidelines, manuals, publications, and thematic pages categorized by topic.
• Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) Training Program In-person and online training courses for trauma recovery techniques conducted for aid workers and helpers in conflict settings, in partnership with Children and War Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 GBV trainings conducted, over 800 participants reached in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FORUTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHHRI collaborated with FORUT to use GBV manuals in regional Training of Trainers programs in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India. FORUT's partners use the manuals to train staff in schools, health centers, local authorities, and civil society organizations. In 2024, this collaboration resulted in 28 GBV trainings reaching over 800 participants.
• Children and War FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to conduct Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) training for Palestinian aid workers. MHHRI worked with the foundation to deliver three in-person TRT courses in Cairo (75 participants) and three online courses for aid workers in Gaza during ceasefire periods.
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued collaboration through the Helping the Helpers project, providing psychological support to Ukrainian staff and volunteers at NRC who work with internally displaced persons.
• Solidarity HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and network-building collaboration for psychology students and helpers, contributing to capacity building in mental health support.
• FagfokusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration focused on strengthening competence on sexual violence in conflict settings.
• Regional Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress (RVTS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on mental health and psychosocial support initiatives in Norway.
• Norwegian-Ukrainian Aid OrganisationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting Ukraine through various mental health and humanitarian initiatives.
• Amnesty Norway and Norwegian Peoples AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborations supporting Ukraine through advocacy and humanitarian efforts.
• AHALARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting mental health initiatives for Ukraine.
• Forum 1325 NorwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in national network focusing on women, peace, and security agenda.
• Global Mental Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHHRI is part of the network's working group. The network serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and advocacy on mental health from a global and development policy perspective. MHHRI participated in hosting debates on children's mental health in war at Arendalsuka.
• LIMPAL Colombia (Liga Internacional de Mujeres por la Paz y la Libertad)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot training partner for GBV manual development in Colombia. Conducted pilot training in 2013-2014 with participants working on gender-based violence and women's rights.
• Human Rights Foundation Turkey (HRFT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot training partner for GBV manual development in Turkey. Conducted pilot training in Adana with organizations working on human rights and gender-based violence.
• AFESIP CambodiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot training partner for GBV manual development in Cambodia. Conducted pilot training in Phnom Penh with organizations caring for women and girls victims of trafficking and sexual slavery.
• Arab Resource Collective (ARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot training partner for GBV manual development in Jordan. Conducted pilot training in Amman with participants from Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan working on psychosocial support and human rights.
• FIAN NorwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElisabeth Ng Langdal served as deputy board director of FIAN Norway (Food First Information and Action Network) from 2008-2016 and continues as board member.
• ICAR Foundation (Romania)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-year project with ICAR Foundation in Romania was successfully completed in 2023, addressing mental health needs of Ukrainian helpers.
• HimalPartnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on professional committee for mental health and support for global mental health initiatives.
• Norsk-Ukrainsk HjelpeorganisasjonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting Ukraine through mental health and humanitarian aid initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UNICEF: UN agency addressing children's rights and well-being globally, including GBV in emergencies, child protection in conflict, and psychosocial support. MHHRI's children's GBV manual and Children in Armed Conflict thematic page closely overlap with UNICEF's programming areas.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Large international humanitarian organization delivering emergency relief, GBV response, and MHPSS programming across conflict-affected countries. Operates the same GBV/MHPSS categories as MHHRI but as one program line within a much broader portfolio, with far greater field presence and funding scale.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF / Doctors Without Borders): International medical humanitarian organization providing emergency care, including mental health and GBV services, in conflict and disaster settings. Shares MHHRI's emergency-response and MHPSS mandate but delivers as part of a much broader clinical portfolio.
• UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency): UN agency mandated to protect refugees and displaced populations, including MHPSS and GBV programming in displacement contexts. MHHRI's refugee and GBV thematic pages overlap with UNHCR's operational mandate and target population.
• UNFPA: UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health, including GBV prevention and response in humanitarian settings. Highly relevant to MHHRI's GBV manual and conflict-related sexual violence programming, with overlapping target populations.

Direct peers

• Women for Women International: NGO serving women survivors of war and conflict through training, livelihoods, and rights programming. Shares MHHRI's focus on GBV survivors in conflict-affected settings and overlap on female-survivor capacity building.
• Norwegian Refugee Council: Large Norwegian humanitarian NGO providing assistance, protection, and durable solutions to displaced persons. MHHRI runs a joint 'Helping the Helpers' project with NRC delivering psychological support to NRC's Ukrainian staff, and NRC uses MHHRI manuals in displacement programming — making it the closest operational peer.
• Children and War Foundation: Norwegian foundation that develops and disseminates Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) for children affected by war. MHHRI partners with Children and War Foundation to deliver TRT courses for Palestinian aid workers in Cairo and Gaza, sharing methodology and target population focus.
• War Child: International NGO focused on the protection and psychosocial well-being of children living in conflict zones. Comparable to MHHRI in combining child-focused MHPSS, GBV response, and conflict-context programming with multilingual capacity-building materials.
• International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT): Global umbrella organization for centers providing rehabilitation to torture victims. Highly comparable to MHHRI's expertise on torture, trauma recovery, and human-rights-violation-related MHPSS, anchored in similar clinical and rights-based frameworks.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HealthandHumanRightsInfo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mental-health-and-human-rights-info

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI)