When natural disasters or calamities like floods, earthquakes, pandemics, or conflicts strike, the first focus is usually on shelter, food, and physical care. Yet mental health, though less visible, often suffers just as much. Survivors can experience shock or despair, and without timely support, these effects can escalate into lasting conditions. WHO reports that nearly one in five individuals affected by crisis experience psychological distress, with approximately 22% developing conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. In India, nearly 15% of the population lives with some form of mental health condition, yet mental health funding remains just above 1% of the total health budget.
Understanding the impact and taking early action is key to helping individuals cope effectively during these critical times. With the right support at the right time, even small interventions during emergencies can go a long way in protecting mental health and aiding recovery.
1. Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Psychological first aid provides immediate, compassionate support to individuals in distress, helping to calm anxiety, restore a sense of safety, and offer practical guidance. It also connects people to professional help when needed, preventing stress from escalating into more serious mental health issues. Trained volunteers, frontline responders, and caregivers play a crucial role by listening actively, offering reassurance, and helping individuals regain control. PFA can make a meaningful difference in how people cope during the critical first hours and days after an emergency.
2. Access to Clinical Mental Health Services
Some individuals develop severe or prolonged mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders. Professional intervention is necessary, including counselling, therapy, and, where appropriate, medication. Programmes like WHO's mhGAP provide guidance on delivering evidence-based mental health care in humanitarian settings. In India, initiatives like Tele-MANAS (National Tele Mental Health Programme) further expand access by offering tele-counselling and digital outreach, helping bridge treatment gaps in both urban and rural areas. Timely clinical intervention helps prevent conditions from worsening and supports recovery.
3. Long-Term Mental Health Planning
Emergencies can leave lasting psychological effects, even after the immediate crisis ends. Integrating mental health into long-term recovery ensures that individuals continue to receive care and support over time. This involves providing ongoing counselling, establishing community support programs, and strengthening local mental health services to meet growing needs. It also includes training local staff, creating follow-up mechanisms, and building sustainable systems that can respond to future crises. By planning for the long term, communities can recover more fully, and individuals are better equipped to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain their mental well-being.
4. Follow the SAFER-R Model
The SAFER-R model is a structured approach to support individuals in distress. It starts with Stabilisation to manage immediate reactions and Acknowledgment of their feelings. It then Facilitates understanding of the situation, provides Encouragement, and supports Recovery. Finally, it ensures appropriate Referral to professional care if needed. This approach helps responders provide timely, organised support while guiding individuals toward longer-term recovery and professional help.
5. Integrated and Multi-Sectoral Approach to Mental Health in Emergencies
Effective mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) requires an approach from preparedness, response, and recovery. Support should not be limited to the immediate aftermath but integrated into planning and long-term recovery efforts. Multi-sectoral coordination is equally important, bringing together health, education, protection, and community services to provide comprehensive care. By linking different sectors and levels of response, communities can ensure that mental health support is accessible, timely, and well-coordinated. This integrated approach strengthens resilience, helps individuals cope effectively, and promotes sustainable recovery in the face of emergencies.
Mental health during emergencies requires focused care and attention, as such situations can affect anyone at any time. While the challenges may feel overwhelming, they are both preventable and manageable with early awareness and timely support. By scaling low-cost interventions like PFA, strengthening tele-counselling initiatives, and investing in community-led recovery models, India can bridge its mental health access gap during crises. Simple, proactive steps, ranging from psychological first aid and community support to access to clinical services and structured recovery plans, can significantly reduce distress and promote well-being.