Supporting mental and brain health in emergencies

Emergency situations such as armed conflict, natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks exacerbate the risk of mental health conditions. Nearly all people affected by emergencies will experience psychological distress, with one in five people affected by conflict likely to have a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These risks are heightened in older people and marginalized groups. Stressful events such as violence and loss, as well as poverty, discrimination, overcrowding, and food and resource insecurity, are common in emergencies and can increase the risk of developing mental health conditions. People with severe mental disorders are particularly vulnerable.

While emergencies have a detrimental effect on mental health, they have also been shown to provide opportunities to build sustainable mental health care systems in the longer term.

WHO works around the world to ensure that the humanitarian mental health response is both coordinated and effective. We collaborate with many partner organizations to provide guidelines, intervention manuals, policy directions and other tools to support the emergency response for mental and brain health. WHO co-chairs the Inter-agency Standing Committee Reference Group (IASC) on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergency Settings, which provides advice and support to organizations working in emergency settings.