EPI-WIN digest 36 - Mental health and psychosocial support aspects of responding to public health emergencies: the why, what and how

Overview

Humanitarian emergencies cause widespread suffering, affecting people’s mental health and psychosocial well-being. Almost all people affected by emergencies will experience psychological distress. For most people, this improves over time. But for others, the impacts on mental health can endure. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) describes any type of local or outside support that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well-being and/or prevent or treat mental health conditions. MHPSS is an integral part of all emergency responses, including public health emergencies such as infectious disease outbreaks.

For further information, please watch the EPI-WIN Webinar 'mental health and psychosocial support aspects of responding to public health emergencies: the why, what and how'.

WHO Team
Community Readiness and Resilience (CRR), Country Readiness Strengthening (CRS)
Number of pages
14