Mark Jordans, director of research and development at War Child, focuses on evidence-based mental health interventions for youth affected by armed conflict. Under his leadership, War Child has become a bridge between humanitarian aid and academic research, ensuring that programs for children and adolescents are tested, refined, and proven effective before being scaled. The organization operates on the belief that humanitarian work should meet the same scientific standards as clinical and public health care, and are grounded in data, co-designed with affected communities, and responsive to local realities.

Working across countries such as Ukraine, Jordan, South Sudan, and Colombia, War Child combines education, psychosocial support, and child protection to help children and young people build resilience amid instability. Its model emphasizes both prevention and treatment, addressing the full spectrum of mental health needs in conflict zones.

War Child’s approach includes:

• Developing interventions for under-served youth. The organization identified a gap for those aged 15 to 24—too old for child-focused programs, yet not reached by adult care. It is designing interventions specific to this age group.
• Promoting wellbeing through education and play. TeamUp, a play- and movement-based program, helps children process emotions and strengthen psychosocial skills, while tablet-based learning tools allow access to education when schools are disrupted by war.
• Building an evidence base for humanitarian care. Each of their programs undergoes rigorous evaluation, from feasibility studies to randomized control trials. When an intervention fails to show measurable benefit, it is discontinued—underscoring War Child’s commitment to quality over popularity.
• Adapting to cultural context. Research tools are translated and tested with local partners to ensure accuracy and respect for local norms. In some cases, new instruments are developed entirely to reflect local expressions of distress and resilience.
• Ensuring sustainability through collaboration. War Child works with partners such as UNICEF, WHO, and Save the Children to share evidence-based practices and expand reach globally.

Jordans emphasizes that effective mental health care in crisis settings depends on flexibility, scientific rigor, and local ownership. War Child’s current collaborations explore how integrating mental health with education and economic programs can reduce long-term risks like depression. For War Child, lasting impact comes from turning solid evidence into programs that are owned and sustained by the communities they serve.