Disasters Newsletter No.131- Mental health and psychosocial support: a priority in emergencies and disasters

Editorial: Mental health and psychosocial support: a priority in emergencies and disasters

By: Dr. Renato Oliveira. Mental Health Unit Chief, PAHO/WHO

Health emergencies, disasters, and factors associated with migration cause suffering in the affected populations. The psychological and social impact of emergencies can be severe in the short term but can also have long-term effects on people that, in addition, can put peace, human rights, and development in jeopardy.

Including a mental health and psychosocial support component in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery plans is as essential as the inclusion of infectious disease control, water and sanitation, communication, etc. One of the priorities in emergencies is to protect mental health and psychosocial well-being. Achieving this objective requires coordinated action among humanitarian aid providers, including government entities and nongovernmental organizations and civil society groups involved in the delivery of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

In the preparedness phase, it is important to build resilience, social cohesion, and mutual support in communities to cope with future emergencies or disasters, with special attention to the most vulnerable groups: people who had mental health conditions prior to the emergency and who may have difficulty accessing services; and health workers, who endure great stress and pressure when providing the response.

Also important are intersectoral coordination and work to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders, with particular attention to the life course, considering each specific local situation; support for communities and families; non-specialized targeted support; and specialized services, as well as the establishment, organization, and implementation of activities by the technical working group (TWG) on mental health.

Including mental health services in the response plan is fundamental, as is strengthening the mechanisms for the coordination of mental health services for needs assessment and coordinating the response of different actors in the field.
Guaranteeing universal health coverage in these contexts will require strengthening mental health and surveillance systems with adequate financing as an integral part of the primary care system. Likewise, health workers must have access to mental health and psychosocial support services.

Building national capacity to implement policies, plans, and programs that promote mental health, reduce the burden of psychosocial illness, and prevent disabilities is essential for an adequate emergency and disaster response.

To address the growing mental health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAHO/WHO has included mental health in its COVID-19 emergency response. We have provided ongoing technical support to Member States to strengthen their mechanisms for the coordination of mental health and psychosocial support; to improve and expand the delivery of mental health and psychosocial support services, including remote interventions; to develop mental health capacities and psychosocial support; to train unspecialized health workers and other key actors; and to develop and disseminate communication materials on mental health and psychosocial support for the general population and for specific risk groups.

Helping countries reform and strengthen their mental health systems and services for the post pandemic period is another priority in working together with the countries of the Region.

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