Global Mental Health Interventions in Various Settings

The global mental health (GMH) professionals respond to various humanitarian crises. Settings determine the specific role of the GMH provider, priorities of interventions, and the best practices. This and next chapters review ground assumptions and principles for the interventional strategies as they apply to the disaster response and support for refugees at the places of resettlement and in the refugee camps. The disaster’s impact on MH varies based on whether it is a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or epidemic. However, the overall disaster response assumes that most people will be able to cope with some support. In addition to the expected trauma symptoms, MH reactions to disasters involve aggregation, a psychological phenomenon when collective trauma experiences create a shared mental space that enables survivors to empathize and support each other. When working with refugees in host communities or refugee camps, GMH providers must be aware that some people continue being marginalized even after fleeing and be prepared to support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The severity of refugee trauma, anti-immigrant sentiments, prejudices, and discrimination increase their vulnerability. The following chapter further elaborates on the prioritized needs and the contextually appropriately interventions in political emergencies.