IASC Guidelines on Mental Health andPsychosocial Support in Emergency Settings

Overview

Armed conflicts and natural disasters cause significant psychological and social suffering to affected populations. The psychological and social impacts of emergencies may be acute in the short term, but they can also undermine the long-term mental health and psychosocial well-being of the affected population. These impacts may threaten peace, human rights and development. One of the priorities in emergencies is thus to protect and improve people’s mental health and psychosocial well-being. Achieving this priority requires coordinated action among all government and nongovernment humanitarian actors.