Stronger Together 2024

#LookListenLink

Connecting to feel calm, safe and helpful

People who feel safe, connected, calm and hopeful, have access to social, physical and emotional support and find ways to help themselves after a crisis situation, will be better able to recover long-term from mental health effects.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) launched in 2020 a Caribbean communication campaign to promote mental wellbeing and positive coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent hurricane seasons. The campaign also aims to reduce the stigma about seeking mental health and psychosocial support and convey the basic principles of Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is a way of helping people to feel calm and able to cope in a difficult situation.

In 2024, in the context of a hurricane season predicted to be more active than normal, these messages are more relevant than ever.

PFA is based on three action principles

During times of stress and crisis, you can help others when you LOOK, LISTEN and LINK.

Refers to how to assess the current situation, who needs support, safety and security risks, the immediate basic and practical needs, and expected emotional reactions.

Refers to how to begin the conversation, pay attention and listen actively, accept feelings and calm someone in distress, ask about needs and concerns, and help find solutions.

Refers to how to assist with accessing information and connecting with loved ones and social support, and accessing services and other help.

Psychological First Aid. Stronger Together. A Guide to Help You and Your Community. Second Edition

New revised edition of the illustrated booklet developed by the Pan American Health Organization and the Caribbean Development Bank. It is meant as a tool to help the general population of the Caribbean care for themselves and their communities during crisis situations.

The booklet explains in a simple language with the help of graphics, the main elements of psychological first aid (PFA), a humane, supportive, and practical response to a fellow human being who is suffering and may need support. The revised edition includes special safety and disease prevention considerations due to the COVID-19 pandemic while providing PFA.

Listen to the audiobook

Illustration showing a character listening with one hand on the ear

Full version

Download

Download it by chapters

Watch the audiobook

Virtual course

Join the campaign!

Check, download and use the campaign materials:

A social media kit with 30 graphic cards and messages to help building resilience in your community. Share them in your social media channels.
A new jingle to sing and dance
Seven PSAs that you can download and use in local radio stations

Social Media Cards and Messages

Click on the images to download. For more cards click here.

cover of the Stronger Together Campaign 2020 - Social media kit

Download social media kit

Jingle: Look, Listen and Link

Two figures surfing a wave, one of them with a confidant expression, is guiding the surf board.

Lyrics

Chorus:

Be ready to Look, Listen and Link
After crisis or disaster
Look, Listen and Link
Because we are stronger together!

Verse 1:

It’s OK to talk about, how ya feel inside,
Shows the strength you have in you,
To make it all alright,
Look out for the children Women and Elderly
So all of them know You know just how they feel

Chorus:

Be ready to Look, Listen and Link
After crisis or disaster
Look, Listen and Link
Because we are stronger together!

Verse 2:

You think about others,
But don’t forget about you
Listen to your brother,
And he will listen to you,
You’re never alone don’t accept no violence, -
Reach out to your neighbour, don’t suffer in silence!

Chorus:

Be ready to Look, Listen and Link
After crisis or disaster
Look, Listen and Link
Because we are stronger together!

Sing Along

Audio

PAHO/WHO · MHPSS Radio Jingles for the "Stronger Together" Campaign

Video

Public Service Announcements

PAHO/WHO · Public Service Announcements for the "Stronger Together" Campaign

More on the Stronger Together campaign

The Stronger Together campaign will continue to be implemented to provide resources and communications materials in disaster situations throughout the Caribbean.

It builts on the branding, key messages and communication products of the 2019 and 2020 PAHO/CDB “Stronger Together” campaign, incorporating new materials and resources.

This regional communication and awareness campaign aims to:

Offer information and strategies to assist communities in the region to promote mental wellbeing and positive coping strategies during disasters.
Reduce the stigma about seeking mental health and psychosocial support in relation to hurricanes and other crisis situations.

For this purpose, the campaign conveys the general principles of psychological first aid (PFA) to the general public, community leaders and essential workers. It is hoped that the information given, will help individuals and communities to anticipate, cope and recover.

Crisis situations tend to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Therefore, the campaign pays special attention particular groups within the general population that may be at greater risk of negative outcomes during a crisis, such as children and adolescents, women, older persons, indigenous peoples, people with pre-existing mental disorders, migrants, persons with disabilities, homeless persons and people living in shelters.

Additionally, knowledge of the different gender roles in the Caribbean has been used to develop gender-sensitive communication messages, including the different roles of men and women in the family and the community, a possible rise of gender-based violence as well as gender differences in the way in which health services are accessed.

Lastly, special attention has been payed to ensure that communication products are accessible for people with disabilities.

This campaign is focused on the following audiences:

Communities, with emphasis on the following vulnerable groups:
- Women and girls, i.e. changing attitudes that cause gender-based violence, role as main caregivers.
- Men and boys, i.e. masculinity norms that may have a negative impact, increased usage in drug and alcohol, breaking curfew.
- People with pre-existing health, mental health and substance use conditions.
- Older adults and their caregivers.
- People with disabilities.
- Refugees, migrants and ethnic minorities.

Essential workers, community leaders, and decision makers who will be utilized as a target audiences and communication channels.
Owners of medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs), many of whom are challenged to manage their firms in lockdown or with adjusted hours of operation and meet expectations of employees.

What is mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)?

The composite term “mental health and psychosocial support” describes any type of local or outside support that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well-being and/or prevent or treat mental disorder. The social and psychological problems encompass a broad range of pre-existing (such as extreme poverty, severe mental disorder and alcohol abuse), emergency-induced (for example, family separation, disruption of social networks and community structures, grief, depression and increased gender-based violence), or humanitarian aid-related problems (including the undermining of community structures or traditional support mechanisms and anxiety due to lack of information and disruption of livelihoods).

What is psychological first aid (PFA)?

PFA is describes a humane, supportive response to a fellow human being who is suffering and who may need support. PFA is not something that only professionals can do; it can be provided for people in a position to help others who have experienced and extremely distressing event. PFA involves the following themes:

providing practical care and support, which does not intrude;
assessing needs and concerns;
helping people to address basic needs (for example, food and water, information);
listening to people, but not pressuring them to talk;
comforting people and helping them to feel calm;
helping people connect to information, services and social supports;
protecting people from further harm.

The three basic action principles of PFA are LOOK, LISTEN and LINK. These action principles guide how to view and safely enter a crisis situation, approach affected people and understand their needs, and link them with practical support and information:

LOOK:
- Check for safety
- Check for people with obvious urgent basic needs
- Check for people with serious distress reactions
LISTEN:
- Approach people who may need support
- Ask about people’s needs and concerns
- Listen to people, and help them to feel calm
LINK:
- Help address basic needs and access services
- Help people cope with problems
- Give information
- Connect people with loved ones

Key messages

Key messages of the campaign

Be calm, be safe and think before you approach people who may need support. Ascertain people’s needs and concerns by listening and help them to feel calm. Reach out to those who are the most affected or in greatest need of help, including elderly people, people with disabilities, children and their caregivers. Share information and connect people with loved ones and social support.

Listen to others, comfort them and participate in regular social activities, while respecting physical distancing measures that may be in place. Don’t hesitate to accept and ask for help from those you trust. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker, social worker, similar professional, or another trusted person in your family or your community.

It is normal to feel sad, distressed, worried, confused, scared or angry during these difficult times. But if symptoms cause difficulty with daily functioning or last more than one month, it is time to seek professional help.

If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle (including a proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contact with loved ones at home). If possible, keep in touch with family and friends through email, phone calls and making use of social media platforms. Draw on skills that you have used in the past during difficult times to manage your emotions. Have a plan where to go and seek help for physical and mental health and psychosocial needs, if required.

However, when you drink or use drugs it takes longer to overcome the painful feelings and anxiety. Alcohol and drugs alter your thoughts, judgement, decision-making and behavior. Moreover, alcohol weakens the immune system, and increases the risk, frequency and severity of perpetration of interpersonal violence.

Seek information only from trusted sources, such as WHO/PAHO website or your local public health agency, and mainly to take practical steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Seek information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice. Get the facts, not the rumors; facts can help to minimize fear and stigma.

COVID-19 is affecting people from many countries, in many geographical locations. Do not attach it to any ethnicity, disability, nationality or profession. Be empathetic to all those who are affected, they have not done anything wrong, and they deserve our support, compassion and kindness. Find opportunities to amplify positive and hopeful stories and positive images of local people who have experienced COVID-19.

Honor caretakers, healthcare workers and other frontline workers supporting your community and helping to prepare and respond to difficult situations. Acknowledge the role they play to save lives and keep your loved ones safe.

Remember, strength does not mean carrying the burden on your own. Being strong means taking care for yourself and caring for and accepting help from others. It is alright to show emotions. Talk about your feelings and do not rely on drugs or alcohol, or taking risks that could affect you and your loved ones.

Help your family and the community but also focus on yourself. Violence is never to be accepted. Break the cycle of violence by reaching out to supportive family and friends, seeking support from a hotline, or seeking out local services for survivors. Have a safety plan in case the violence escalates. This includes having a neighbor, friend or relative or shelter identified to go to in the event you need to leave the house immediately for safety.

Children may respond in different ways: clinging to caregivers, feeling anxious, withdrawing, feeling angry or agitated, having nightmares, bedwetting, frequent mood-changes, etc. Discuss difficult situations with your children with honest and age-appropriate information. Children will observe adults’ behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own emotions during difficult times.

Help children find positive ways to express disturbing feelings such as fear and sadness. Engaging in a creative activity, such as playing, and drawing, can facilitate this process. Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible, especially if children are confined at home. Make opportunities for children to play and relax.

Keep children close to their parents and family, if considered safe for the child, and avoid separating children and caregivers as much as possible. If children are separated from their caregivers, ensure regular and frequent contact (e.g. via phone, video calls) and re-assurance.

People with disability can be even more excluded during times of crisis and can have a negative impact on mental health, when they may fear being left behind. Ensure positive mental health messaging can be accessed by people with disabilities.

Feeling stressed is an experience that you and many of your colleagues are likely going through. Stress and feelings associated with it are by no means a reflection that you cannot do your job or that you are weak, even if you feel that way. Managing your stress and psychosocial wellbeing during this time is as important as managing your physical health. If your stress worsens, you are not to blame; if you feel overwhelmed, please seek appropriate support.