Mental Health & Psychosocial Support

Mental health needs surge during disasters, often leading to increased rates of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma-related responses among affected populations. Vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, people with pre-existing mental health conditions, and those who experience loss or displacement are especially susceptible to psychosocial distress. Disaster responders are also at significant risk of increased mental health needs and require intentional psychosocial support.

Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs is as important as meeting physical health needs and can prevent long-term distress and accelerate individual and community recovery. Interventions that involve and integrate local communities and leverage existing health and social services networks tend to be more effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate. Disaster responders and community leaders require training in basic psychosocial support, psychological first aid, and referral mechanisms. Prevention and early intervention reduces the risk of chronic mental health problems and promotes resilience in both disaster responders and those directly impacted by the disaster.

Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) initiatives seek to:

Reduce the risk of chronic mental health problems and promote resilience in both disaster responders and those directly impacted by the disaster through early intervention.
Ensure the psychological well-being of disaster-affected individuals and communities through timely support and resources.
Minimize the impact of trauma and stress and prevent the development of mental health conditions.
Help individuals and communities regain normalcy, rebuild routines, and re-establish social networks.
Facilitate access to mental health care, counseling, and community-based psychosocial support.
Empower communities to support one another, foster coping mechanisms, and build resilience to future disasters.
Ensure that mental health and psychosocial services reach all affected groups, with special attention to vulnerable populations.
Train disaster response teams and community members in addressing their own MHPSS needs and in providing psychological first aid and referral pathways for impacted persons.
Regularly assess the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial support programs to improve outcomes and inform future disaster response efforts.

Listen to Past MHPSS-SIG Discussions!

WADEM President Emeritus, Dr. Greg Ciottone converses with Dr. Todd Benham, a clinical psychologist with extensive worldwide experience teaching and training personnel, on the impacts of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both the mental health of health care workers and the general public are discussed.

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support SIG Leadership

Todd Benham, PsyD, ABPP

Chair

Director, Department of Behavioral Health, USA MEDDAC

Mission

Mission: The mission of the WADEM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Special Interest Group (MHPSS-SIG) is to foster global collaboration among researchers and practitioners interested in disaster mental health. The MHPSS-SIG aims to be proactive in improving the psychosocial preparedness of and psychosocial support available to disaster responders and to the victims, families, friends, and communities impacted by disasters. We seek to contribute to and increase the understanding of disaster mental health and psychosocial support and disseminate relevant advances and best practices to the global community.

Purpose & Goals

The purposes of the MHPSS-SIG are to:

Develop and exchange scientific, clinical and public health information relevant to MHPSS.
Encourage collaborative efforts enhancing and expanding the field of MHPSS research.

The goals of the MHPSS-SIG are to:

Develop a collaborative space for international disaster mental health specialists, stakeholders, and learners.
Network and integrate disaster mental health and psychosocial support into WADEM activities and programs.
Foster the professional growth of the members through mentorship, practical excercises, and disseminated best practices.
Train and educate researchers on the innovative research opportunities and challenges of disaster mental health and psychosocial support.