Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies MHPSS WHO Pan American Health Organization | Dr. Wayne Carman

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies MHPSS WHO Pan American Health Organization

In July of 2021, a national survey of adults in the United States found that, among those who indicated they were “definitely not” getting vaccinated, a vast majority believed the health risk related to vaccines was higher than the health risk of contracting COVID-19.45 The prominence of social media and the proliferation of Internet-connected digital devices facilitated global spread of misinformation. Misinformation created one of the most significant and evolving threats to public health during COVID-19, prompting a report from the US Surgeon General43 as well as information campaigns from the United Kingdom and the World Health Organization.44 A significant area of misinformation occurred around vaccines. Understanding how risk changes over time, what new risks emerge, and where risk is concentrated is essential to protect health. Although the transition to recovery is far less clear during COVID-19, the factors listed provide an understanding of how risk and protection evolve throughout a pandemic life cycle. To understand the impact, it is important to know aspects of the exposure, such as who, when, how much, the response over time, and which factors buffered against negative effects.

  • The term mental health and psychosocial support describes any type of support that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well-being and/or prevent or treat a mental disorder.
  • Strengthening the mental health response and psychosocial support in the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Countries also turned the anxiety caused by the pandemic and its social and economic effects into an opportunity to break down taboos and promote the discussion of mental health issues.
  • It can also take time to feel like yourself again after an emergency.

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emergency preparedness mental health

As regards the improvement in successful education, training, and informational resources, it is important to involve all of these organizations, agencies, and individuals. First, we note an absence of policy and planning for people experiencing economic difficulty, individuals with mental disorders, and specific population groups like children, women, and elderly people. Investing in related research would contribute to the future decision-making in the field of disaster health supervision. It is also Parenting teens during the coronavirus pandemic necessary to pay more attention to disaster risk reduction while increasing the reaction capacity.

emergency preparedness mental health

Risk Factors for Trauma

emergency preparedness mental health

Considerable research on the mental consequences of disaster has been undertaken in several countries. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety undesirably and forcefully influence quality of life and functioning (Fergusson et al., 2014; Kessler et al., 1995; Simmons et al., 2008). According to the report of the Annual Disaster Statistical Review from 2013, natural hazards killed a noteworthy number of individuals (21,610) but fortunately mostly below the annual average report between 2003 and 2012 (106,654) (Guha-Sapir et al., 2014). Our Social Media & Youth Mental Health Q&A Portal is your go-to resource for expert, evidence-based answers to real questions from youth, educators, parents, and pediatricians about the impact of social media on youth well-being. Check out some helpful resources from the AAP

By incorporating mental health strategies—such as mindfulness, stress management, and social support—into disaster planning, individuals and communities can build a stronger foundation for recovery. EMTs are teams of health professionals that provide direct clinical care to people affected by emergencies and disasters, and support local health systems. Community-based initiatives can provide mental health support to individuals and communities affected by disasters. By incorporating mental health into disaster preparedness plans, communities can reduce the risk of long-term psychological trauma and promote resilience. The evolving impact on public mental health is only beginning to be understood and includes numerous responses beyond psychiatric illness, such as distress reactions, health risk behaviors, resilience, and growth. Online training in community-based PFA is available through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network that prepares individuals to support community health following disasters.61 PFA training for supervisors and leaders also is available from the National Association of County and City Healthcare Organizations.

emergency preparedness mental health

Consulting Mental Health Professionals

To do so, the nation has to prioritize funding into research and assessments post emergencies—so we can truly understand how these events affect the mental health and stability of a community at a population level. Additionally, psychological effects can take years to manifest and get under control—especially if there isn’t access to mental health services. While this is by no means a quick fix, taking a long-term approach to emergency preparedness and community health will pay dividends in improved health of the entire population. The gains in improved access to care and lessened stigma were noticeable—and these should help ensure responders and communities can work together to forge a better response during the next emergency. We must also do a far better job of increasing our mental health workforce and ensuring and increasing access to mental health services both during and after an emergency. The “Building Back Better“ concept emphases the use of emergencies as opportunities to improve health care systems, leveraging the surge of aid, and heightened political awareness to reform mental health care sustainably.