Health Emergencies in Large Populations - The H.E.L.P. Course

1. Participants are able to explain the importance of addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of affected populations during acute and protracted crises

1.1. Participants are able to describe the global burden of mental health problems in normal times and in crisis situations

• WHO definition mental health & psychosocial support

• Burden of disease concept with different indicators (DALYs, YLD) -> place of mental health conditions in relation to other diseases

• Example(s) of a typical psychodynamic narrative in humanitarian settings, with the switch from normal to crisis situations.

1.2. Participants are able to list the main mental health pathologies, how these may be viewed by societies and affect the lives of people

• Main mental health symptoms and corresponding broader mental health conditions

• Realities and myths of crucial disorders such as PTSD, anxiety and depression

• Misconceptions /misbeliefs about psychosocial and mental health problems

• Different consequences arising from mental illness including

  • Effects on social and family life

  • Effect of stigma on access to services

1.3. Participants are able to describe the internationally recognized mental health and psychosocial support framework

• IASC intervention pyramid

  • Different layers of the IASC intervention pyramid for mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings

  • Examples of the types of activities at each of the levels.

• SPHERE (Handbook 2018)

• Continuum of care notion for mental health conditions

2. Participants are able to describe the elements of a basic MHPSS assessment

2.1. Participants are able to identify key sources for secondary data collection and list approaches for primary data collection

• Secondary data sources

  • WHO mental health atlas -> country profiles

  • Reports MoH, other actors

  • Mental health task force/ health cluster -> 4W: who is doing what, where and when (HeRAM)

• Primary data collection

  • At all times: Interviews/ focus groups (qualitative data)

  • When time allows / more in-depth assessment (Questionnaires: quantitative data)

2.2. Participants are able to list the main actors involved in MHPSS interventions in crisis situations and what coordination mechanism may be in place

• Resources for mental health in the world

  • Overview total government spending and human resources

  • MH-Gap

  • Main actors in the field of humanitarian MHPSS support -> their mandate + strategies and principles for action

• Coordination mechanisms (formal/ informal)

3. Participants are able to discuss an appropriate response for treatment and care for people with mental health and psychosocial needs during an acute and/or protracted crisis

3.1. Participants are able to explain the role of MHPSS within the overall humanitarian interventions

• Health pyramid and MASLOW pyramid

3.2. Participants are able to describe different humanitarian scenarios and the implications this has on the choice of appropriate MHPSS interventions

• Different humanitarian scenarios:

  • Crisis types: armed conflict/natural disaster/ major disease outbreak; acute/protracted/post crisis

  • Setting in which crises take place: high/ middle/low income; rural/urban, existing services;

  • Acceptance / stigma

  • Capacity & resilience / vulnerability

3.3. Participants are able to identify a set of recommendations for MHPSS interventions in humanitarian crisis situations.

• Appropriate interventions for different types of MHPSS needs

• Appropriate interventions for different crisis situations (crisis type and context)

• When to suggest an in-depth assessment (elements to consider)

• Pre-conditions that must be in place before initiating a MHPSS intervention and what potential risks do exist (do no harm principle)