Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs in emergency response in international humanitarian assistance

A) Objectifs de l’engagement

This pledge relates to Commission II, Standing by our Fundamental Principles in responding to humanitarian needs and risks and the Commission’s session on Working together to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities. It reflects the urgent need to address the growing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs in the face of the climate crisis, conflict, and other emergencies.

Among humanitarian actors and within Governments, it is recognized that the climate crisis intensifies the impact of armed conflict, natural hazards, and other emergencies, severely affecting the mental health and psychosocial well-being of affected communities and individuals, including children, youth, and their families. Preparedness and early intervention in addressing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs in humanitarian emergencies are critical to the survival, dignity, and daily functioning of affected communities and individuals. Despite this, there remains a significant gap in MHPSS services, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Building on the significant efforts made to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support in the past, including the 2019 ‘Resolution 2: Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies in emergencies’, and the establishment of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub, it is acknowledged that the foundation is laid for advancing mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies globally. Nevertheless, there is a need to continue efforts to promote early and sustained access to MHPSS services for communities and individuals affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies. MHPSS must be integrated into prevention, response, and recovery, safeguarding human rights and enabling access to protection and assistance in humanitarian efforts.

The International Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, hosted by the Danish Red Cross, has for 30 years provided a strong platform for strengthening local preparedness and response in affected communities. Starting in January 2025, the Centre will officially become the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub. The Movement MHPSS Hub core mission is to promote, prevent, and address mental health needs, making MHPSS accessible and recognized as a universal right. As the first of its kind, the Movement MHPSS Hub signifies an advancing recognition of MHPSS as central to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s mission. The Movement MHPSS Hub will continue work with partners, such as

Save the Children Denmark (SCD) and the MHPSS Collaborative—a global hub for MHPSS research, innovation, learning, and advocacy for children, youth, and families – to further the implementation of the 2019 International Conference Resolution 2.

The timeframe of this pledge is 2024-2028.

B) Plan d’action

1. Support the building of capacity of the workforce, including volunteers, to respond to the mental health and psychosocial needs, through i.a. adaptations of tools, training, and supervision to address mental health and psychosocial challenges in the field, including self-care to prevent burnout.
2. Engage with and support the MHPSS Hub to advocate for global recognition of mental health and psychosocial needs and rights in national and international forums.
3. Promote the integration of mental health and psychosocial well-being as part of humanitarian response to both sudden-onset emergencies and protracted crisis situations. Including by supporting the integration of MHPSS is part of emergency health services, protection, and education in emergencies programs, and other relevant sectors.
4. Promote culturally appropriate and accessible services that respect the dignity and rights of all individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, women, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
5. Support local leadership of communities and organizations in strengthening capacities to offer sustainable mental health and psychosocial support before, during, and after crises.
6. Support and enable centers of excellence and networks of learning, like the Movement MHPSS Hub and the Nordic and Danish MHPSS Network, to further develop learning, best practice and coordination across humanitarian actors.

C) Indicateurs permettant de mesurer les avancées:

Nil

D) Ressources nécessaires:

There will be resource implications associated with the above-described commitments, which could include dedicated funding for MHPSS in budgets and appeals and through the dedication of funding for the Movement MHPSS Hub and the Nordic and Danish MHPSS Network.