Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 2: Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies (33IC/19/R2) – Australian Red Cross

Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

The commitments are incorporated into:
Strategy
Policy
Operational plan

At the National, Local level

Explanation:

ARC continues to ensure that MHPSS is at the core of all its work in domestic emergencies and disasters, with a focus on reducing the psychosocial impacts of disaster. MHPSS is embedded in ARC’s Emergency Services strategies and frameworks, the delivery of its operational services and programs, and in its program evaluation, throughout all phases of the emergency cycle – before, during and after. These include ARC Emergency Services:
– Theory of Change
– Advocacy and Influence Strategy
– Workforce Capacity and Capability programs
– Systems and Application programs
– Psychological Support programs
– Disaster Resilience policies and programs
– Response policies and programs
– Recovery policies and programs
– Training and education programs
– Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

Partner with:
Government and/or public authorities
Academia
Other

Examples of cooperation:

ARC advocates for MHPSS in emergency and disaster resilience policy through ongoing engagement across all levels of government and the disaster resilience sector; membership on key government groups and committees; publication of reports and papers; presentations in webinars and at conferences; and through the provision of advice and information to stakeholders.

ARC works with key national government committees and groups to progress the MHPSS resolution through advice and information including:
– Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience
– Community Outcomes and Recovery Sub-committee
– National Emergency Management Agency
– Social Recovery Reference Group

In addition, ARC works with a range of State, Territory and Local Government groups and committees to progress the MHPSS resolution through advice and information. ARC also advocates to Ministers, Secretaries and other Government representatives.

ARC has also contributed to a range of other climate change and emergency management reviews and inquiries including the recent Australian Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements and the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Review, emphasising the need for MHPSS approaches, policies programs and funding.

ARC partners with key academic institutions to progress MHPSS-related evidence and research. This includes:
– Deakin University, Department of Economics
– La Trobe University, Climate Change Adaptation Lab, School of Humanities & Social Sciences
– Monash University
– Disaster Resilience Initiative
– Fire to Flourish
– Natural Hazards Research Australia
– University of Melbourne
– Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety
– Climate and Adversity Unit, Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing
– Phoenix Australia
– University of New South Wales, HowWeSurvive
– University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health

ARC is a member of a range of groups and networks that research, promote and/or support MHPSS approaches including:
– Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network
– Beyond Disasters Advisory Group
– Climate Leaders Coalition

ARC also partners with donor organisations to deliver a range of MHPSS related programs including emergency planning and preparedness and disaster recovery programs.

In 2024 ARC established a new, cross-sector Community Resilience Alliance which aims to make positive change to policy, programs and funding to enable community resilience. MHPSS principles and practice are central to the championing, advocacy and other work that this group undertakes.

Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

With challenges on:
Funding constraints
Other

Details about challenges:

An ongoing challenge is shifting the perception that psychosocial needs and impacts are less important that responding to the physical impacts of disasters. Governments and the emergency management system more broadly continue to prioritise the physical and infrastructure components of disasters and are often unwilling to invest time or money into addressing psychosocial impacts in a meaningful way.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

Type of Impact:
Other

Details about the impact:

ARC ‘s domestic emergencies program already had a significant focus on MHPSS prior to the resolution. However, the resolution and the commitments have supported an increased focus on this work, particularly among stakeholders in the emergency management and disaster resilience sector.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

Description of the impact:

ARC has worked with communities before, during and after a wide range of national, State and Territory level, and local level emergencies and disasters across Australia. All ARC Emergency Services preparedness, response and recovery activities have a focus on the provision of basic MHPSS, family and community support, and some focussed interventions. ARC evaluations of our programs show that the MHPSS approach has a positive impact on communities.