Engaging multiple

stakeholders to build
back better sustainable
mental health care
following emergencies
 In this module, we will focus on
1 Overview on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS): definition, guidelines and principles

2 Coordinating a team with other sectors / clusters providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

3 Assessing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) needs and resources to guide programming

4 Working with community members, including marginalised people, to strengthen community self-help and social support

5 Including basic psychosocial support skills in an emergency response or programme

6 Developing and implementing a plan for mental health integration into general health care in humanitarian settings

7 Identifying suitable tools and integrating psychological interventions into health and social sector implementation plans in
emergencies
8 Assessing psychiatric hospitals and residential homes and supporting people with severe mental health conditions

9 Assessment of needs and integrating interventions for the management of conditions related to substance use

10 Engaging multiple stakeholders to build back better sustainable mental health care following emergencies

11 Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) during COVID-19

 Learning Objectives

Understand how to Gain insights from

contribute to long term WHO’s experience in
mental health systems building back better
strengthening during and
after each emergency
 Emergencies despite their tragedies are opportunities for change

• Media interest
• Interest of decision-makers
(e.g. government leaders, heads of
humanitarian agencies)
• Decision-makers willing to consider
options beyond the status quo
Key Actions recommended in WHO’s Building Back Better publication

1. Mental health reform was supported through planning

for long-term sustainability from the outset

2. The broad mental health needs of the emergency-

affected population were addressed

3. The government’s central role was respected

4. National professionals played a key role

5. Coordination across agencies was crucial

Key Actions recommended in WHO’s Building Back Better publication

6. Mental health reform involved review and revision

of national policies and plans
7. The mental health system was considered and
strengthened as a whole
8. Health workers were reorganized and trained
9. Demonstration projects offered proof of concept
and attracted further support and funds for mental
health reform

10. Advocacy maintained momentum for change

 Example 1. The Philippines:
Mental health reform was supported through planning for long-term sustainability from the outset
 Example 2. South Sudan:
The broad mental health needs of the emergency-affected population were addressed
 Example 3. Sri Lanka:
The government’s central role was respected
 Example 4. Syria:
National professionals played a key role
 Example 5. Global MHPSS Technical Working Groups:
Coordination across agencies was crucial

2021

48 (+11) countries in March 2022

Functional TWGs added since

March
Existing2020
but not functional TWGs
in 2021
 Example 6. Lebanon:
Mental health reform involved review and revision of national policies and plans
 Example 7:
The mental health system was considered and strengthened as a whole
 Example 8. Turkey:
Health workers were reorganized and trained
 Example 9. Jordan:
Demonstration projects offered proof of concept and attracted further support and funds for mental health reform
 Example 10. Brazil:
Advocacy maintained momentum for change
 Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030

Appendix I and II
Appendix I - Indicators for measuring progress towards defined targets of
the comprehensive mental health action plan
Appendix II - Options for the implementation of the comprehensive mental
health action plan

A new target (Target 3.3): “50% of countries will have a system in place for
mental health and psychosocial preparedness for emergencies/disasters by
2030.”
 References and further readings

WHO (2013). Building Back Better: Sustainable mental health care after emergencies.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/building-back-better-sustainable-mental-health-care-after-emergencies

Weissbecker,Inka; Khan,Olga; Kondakova,Nataliia; Poole,Laura Anderson; Cohen,Jordana T... (2017). Mental health in
transition : assessment and guidance for strengthening integration of mental health into primary health care and community-
based service platforms in Ukraine. Global Mental Health Initiative Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group.
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/310711509516280173/Mental-health-in-transition-assessment-and-guidance-for-strengthening-integration-of-mental-health-into-primary-health-
care-and-community-based-service-platforms-in-Ukraine

World Health Assembly (2019). Seventy-second World Health Assembly, Geneva. Decision A72/76 2019. World Health
Organization.
https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA72/A72_76-en.pdf

UNSG (2020). Policy Brief: COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health.
https://unsdg.un.org/resources/policy-brief-covid-19-and-need-action-mental-health

WHO (2013). World Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020.

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506021

WHO (2021). Comprehensive World Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030.

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240031029
 In this module, you learnt that

• Major gaps remain worldwide in the realization of comprehensive, community-

based mental health care.
• It is appropriate to take meaningful action during emergencies to accelerate the
development of mental health systems.
• Global progress will happen more quickly if strategic efforts are made to convert
short-term interest in mental health problems into momentum for mental health
reform.
• This would benefit not only people’s mental health, but also the functioning,
stability and resilience of societies recovering from emergencies.
 In the next module, we will focus on
1 Overview on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS): definition, guidelines and principles

2 Coordinating a team with other sectors / clusters providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

3 Assessing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) needs and resources to guide programming

4 Working with community members, including marginalised people, to strengthen community self-help and social support

5 Including basic psychosocial support skills in an emergency response or programme

6 Developing and implementing a plan for mental health integration into general health care in humanitarian settings

7 Identifying suitable tools and integrating psychological interventions into health and social sector implementation plans in
emergencies
8 Assessing psychiatric hospitals and residential homes and supporting people with severe mental health conditions

9 Assessment of needs and integrating interventions for the management of conditions related to substance use

10 Engaging multiple stakeholders to build back better sustainable mental health care following emergencies

11 Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) during COVID-19