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Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies

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(@ashishjoshi)
Posts: 121
Reputable Member Admin
Topic starter
 

Humanitarian emergencies give way to psychological distress for those affected by them. The affected people are likely to have mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or even schizophrenia. In conflict-affected populations, the estimated prevalence of mental disorders is 22.1%.

Untreated mental health issues are likely to have detrimental effects in the regions undergoing humanitarian crisis. There will be a long-lasting repercussion in societies due to its members undergoing mental health issues, which in turn decreases quality of life and puts them at risk of physical illness, unemployment and poverty. Furthermore, a high prevalence of untreated mental health conditions might have a detrimental effect on the communities that are attempting to respond to humanitarian crises. It may, inadvertently, weaken the community's capacity to deal with the crisis successfully. A difficult to escape downward cycle could result from this.

In terms of offering technical guidance on mental health in emergencies, WHO is one of the organizations working on it. In a number of nations and regions that are experiencing widespread emergencies in 2022, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Yemen, WHO is operational on mental health.

Kindly share your thoughts on Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies.

Sources:
//www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-in-emergencies
//www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30934-1/fulltext
//www.who.int/activities/ensuring-a-coordinated-and-effective-mental-health-response-in-emergencies

This topic was modified 1 year ago by ashishjoshi
 
Posted : October 3, 2022 7:52 pm
(@priyam)
Posts: 1
New Member
 

This is a very grave concern which needs addressing. When it’s impossible to recognise and treat mental health conditions in a normal setting, imagine the identification, recognition and giving importance to mental health issues in a humanitarian crisis! While we can only hope that the help WHO is extending to the affected populations, it’s hard to quantify the damage caused to people and their lives thereafter, even if they manage to survive the crisis. 

 
Posted : October 4, 2022 6:52 am
(@anisa-elizabeth-verghese)
Posts: 1
New Member
 

I think this might be a grave concern which humanitarian relief providers might not focus much on. And in a sudden emergency setting we might forget the need to ensure proper mental health not only of the affected but also of the volunteers who provide services there on a long term basis. 

I believe we must create a system say like a health care model or a judiciary model. This model should have various levels of authority to deal with various intensities of problem plus various implementation plans on hand to implement the apt one in the scenario. Once such a system is implemented, it should be merged which the emergency health care providers and the plan can be managed according to situation and implemented.

I believe such a way can change the situation of mental health of the affected and the health service providers. Once such a system is implemented it may stay in action every time the health service is provided as it would have become a part of the same. Thus in future, the future of any disaster affected country can build it back up due to the confidence provided by our volunteers during the time of distress.

This is just my idea and view. I do not know how effective this can turn out.

 
Posted : October 4, 2022 9:36 am
(@anoja-sundar)
Posts: 25
Eminent Member
 

I agree with the opinion of Ms.Anisa as Health Emergency preparedness should be worked as a model including the strategy to cope up with the mental health of the affected people special focus on mentally ill patients. The mental health triage system could be strengthened. Almost all people affected by emergencies will experience psychological distress, which for most people will improve over time. it should be addressed as pre-existing, emergency-induced, and humanitarian response-induced mental health problems.

Millions of children around the world suffer unthinkable distress due to armed conflict, natural disasters, and other humanitarian emergencies.

Anxiety, depression, and other stress-related problems threaten their ability to grow up healthy and happy. Violence can take a lifelong toll on their emotional health, physical health, and social development. If exposed in early childhood, the experience can even hamper a child's brain development.

For adolescents, severe distress and exposure to traumatic events can lead to various harmful outcomes, including alcohol and drug abuse, low self-esteem, health issues, poor school performance, self-harm, and suicide.

Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is essential for improving the well-being of children affected by humanitarian emergencies. UNICEF works around the world to strengthen the resilience of children and their families, and to help them cope with adversity during and after a crisis. 

Reference:

//www.unicef.org/protection/mental-health-psychosocial-support-in-emergencies

//www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-in-emergencies

 
Posted : February 19, 2023 4:09 pm
(@jayasheelagoni)
Posts: 10
Active Member
 

Key actions for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) by the health sector.

 Preparedness, response and recovery phases of emergencies.

  1. Preparedness phase: Planning national health policies and strategies and emergency preparedness plans. Orient staff in the health, protection and other sectors as well as workers in the community in “psychological first aid”. Prepare emergency stocks of essential psychotropic medications.
  2. Response phase: Action, what is being done by organizations and how affected people are coping. Coordinate interventions in the response phase MHPSS activities. Every health facility in an emergency setting (including mobile clinics, general hospitals, field hospitals, primary health care facilities) should have at least one staff member who is trained and supervised to identify and manage mental health problems in adults and children.
  3. Recovery phase: opportunities

A number of countries in the world, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, have seized opportunities during and after emergencies to build better mental health-care services. The media frequently highlights the psychological suffering of survivors and this may increase the willingness and financial ability of national and international agencies to support mental health and psychosocial assistance to affected people. Therefore, humanitarian emergencies may create unique opportunities for better and more sustainable mental health services

Lack of information is a key concern and a major source of anxiety in populations affected by humanitarian emergencies.

//apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/255243/EMHJ_2015_21_7_498_502.pdf?sequence=1

 
Posted : March 1, 2023 12:43 am
(@mamta)
Posts: 8
Active Member
 

The ability to identify, treat, and prevent mental disorders is part of mental health literacy. Greater awareness of the significance of seeking help and treatment for mental health issues, as well as a decline in the stigma of mental illness, are both correlated with information and knowledge about mental health and mental illness.

 

Reference

//www.paho.org/en/disasters-newsletter-no131-mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-priority-emergencies-and

 
Posted : March 13, 2023 10:00 am
(@ashruti-bhatt)
Posts: 74
Trusted Member
 

Humanitarian crises are a major global health challenge that have the potential to have a significant impact on people's mental and psychological health. Effective interventions in humanitarian settings are required to support affected populations' mental health and psychosocial needs. To address this gap, the mentioned systematic review compiled evidence on the efficacy of a wide range of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programmes delivered to adults affected by humanitarian emergencies in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

Reference: Bangpan M, Felix L, Dickson K Mental health and psychosocial support programmes for adults in humanitarian emergencies: a systematic review and meta-analysis in low and middle-income countries
 
Posted : March 29, 2023 2:49 pm
(@lipsaaggarwal)
Posts: 8
Active Member
 

Emergencies arise in everyone's life, but the way to handle such emergencies defines the effect of such situations on our mental health. Certain emergencies leading to the loss of life, property, and family separation, that are part of a crisis can lead to prevailing mental disorders.

The burden of mental disorders among conflict-affected populations is extremely high. WHO’s review of 129 studies in 39 countries showed that among people who have experienced war or other conflict in the previous 10 years, one in five people (22%) will have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

People with severe mental disorders need access to basic needs and clinical care which can not only treat their condition but can also cause deterioration of their condition. A review published in 2014 of the health information system from 90 refugee camps across 15 low- and middle-income countries found that 41% of healthcare visits for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders were for epilepsy/seizures, 23% for psychotic disorders, and 13% for moderate and severe forms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Following steps need to be taken-

  • Clinical care for mental health should be provided by or under the supervision of mental health specialists such as psychiatric nurses, psychologists, or psychiatrists.
  • Community self-help and social support should be strengthened
  • Psychological first aid offering first-line emotional and practical support to people experiencing acute distress due to a recent event and should be made available
  • Basic clinical mental health care covering priority conditions (e.g. depression, psychotic disorders, epilepsy, alcohol, and substance abuse) should be provided at every healthcare facility
  • Psychological interventions (e.g. problem-solving interventions, group interpersonal therapy, interventions based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy) for people impaired by prolonged distress should be offered
  • Protecting communal rights, visiting, monitoring, and supporting people at psychiatric facilities and residential homes.
  • Mental healthcare camps, diagnostics, and screening programs need to be conducted in such areas, and Links and referral mechanisms need to be strengthened.
 
Posted : April 10, 2023 8:52 pm
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