Mental health and psychosocial support
Disasters and emergencies take an immense toll not only on people’s physical health, but on their mental health and wellbeing too. Addressing global mental health and psychosocial needs is a vital part of the IFRC’s work supporting healthy communities.
Our work
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world provide a wide variety of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services and programmes. These range from basic psychological first aid through to specialized mental health care.
Armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies often expose people to extremely distressing events. People lose loved ones, homes and livelihoods. Many face severe violations of human dignity, such as torture and sexual violence.
Left untreated, these hidden wounds can cause serious and long-term harm to individuals, families, communities, and entire societies.
Mental health and psychosocial support programmes are some of the least expensive activities in humanitarian response. But they can have a priceless impact on the lives of people who need them, particularly when delivered early after a disaster strikes.
Latest stories from around the world
World Mental Health Day: A day with serious meaning for humanitarian workers
World Mental Health Day: A day with serious meaning for humanitarian workers
World Mental Health Day: What does mental health at work mean when your work is helping people in a conflict zone?
World Mental Health Day: What does mental health at work mean when your work is helping people in a conflict zone?
World Mental Health Day: By helping others, a young volunteer learned how to help herself
World Mental Health Day: By helping others, a young volunteer learned how to help herself
Uruguayan Red Cross project sends life-saving message: the lives of young people cannot be left just to chance – suicide is preventable
Uruguayan Red Cross project sends life-saving message: the lives of young people cannot be left just to chance – suicide is preventable
What we do
Indonesian Red Cross volunteers lead a psychosocial support session with people affected by an earthquake and resulting tsunami in Central Sulawesi. Support includes morning exercise sessions and readings of the Quran.
Photo: IFRC/Kathy Mueller
Across our network, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers help people cope, rebuild their lives and thrive again in the wake of emergencies. Examples of our mental health and psychosocial work include:
- Setting up child friendly spaces to support children’s mental health through safe play
- Running dedicated phone lines and help points for people on the move who need a friendly ear
- Community engagement to promote positive mental wellbeing and address the stigma often surrounding mental health conditions
- Programmes to help vulnerable groups develop social and emotional skills so they can support one another
In low- and middle-income countries where most humanitarian crises occur, access to mental health and social support services can be very limited. Investing in the work of local volunteers is therefore vital to ensuring everyone, everywhere can access reliable mental health and psychosocial support.
Scroll down to learn more or contact [email protected] for more information.
Watch: mental health videos
Related documents
Ukraine response: Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) strategy
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Mental health and psychosocial support in Asia Pacific during COVID-19
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Mental Health Matters: Mapping of MHPSS Activities within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
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Mental Health Matters: Addressing mental health and psychosocial consequences of armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies
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