Individuals’s psychological well being wants are sometimes grossly underestimated or misunderstood. The problem is much more acute for these caught up in main disasters and emergencies. As populations and international locations face a number of disasters and emergencies caused by local weather change and battle, consultants have raised the necessity to prioritize entry to psychological well being providers in emergency responses.
This yr’s World Psychological Well being Day theme, ‘Entry to providers: Psychological well being in catastrophes and emergencies’, underlines this urgency. “Crises comparable to pure disasters, conflicts and public well being emergencies trigger psychological misery, with one in 5 folks experiencing a psychological well being situation. One in 5 folks (22%) who’ve skilled battle or battle up to now 10 years undergo from melancholy, nervousness, post-traumatic stress dysfunction, bipolar dysfunction or schizophrenia, the WHO notes.”
Indian situation
Lakshmi Vijayakumar, a psychiatrist and founding father of the SNEHA Suicide Prevention Heart in Chennai, stated there had been some progress in public psychological well being after the disaster. “It was after the 2004 tsunami that individuals realized that when the bodily wants of survivors had been met, psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress dysfunction, emotions of loss and grief wanted to be addressed. After this, psychological well being providers had been strengthened and built-in into reduction mechanisms. Psychological first support protocols had been developed,” she stated.
Psychological well being is a key part of any catastrophe, she famous. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced this to the fore, affecting everybody in a roundabout way, whether or not contaminated or not. “Isolation, worry, nervousness and lack of communication have had a deep psychological impression on folks. The Psychological Well being Process Drive was established after the outbreak of COVID-19,” she stated.
higher understanding
Dr. Lakshmi emphasised that psychological well being was as soon as equated with psychological sickness, however is now higher understood. It performs a better position in emergencies and disaster conditions, comparable to wars and man-made disasters.
She additionally careworn the significance of addressing youngsters’s psychological well being, as many could also be uncovered to violence and trauma. “Almost 80% of refugees reside in low- and middle-income international locations. Reduction ought to embody not solely bodily help but additionally psychological and psychological help. A psychological well being part must also be a part of the preliminary plan. It ought to be a package deal, not an afterthought or an afterthought,” she argued.
Authorities response
P. Poorna Chandrika, professor of psychiatry on the Institute of Psychological Well being (IMH), Chennai, recalled how IMH responded through the Gaja Cyclone that hit TN in 2018, saying, “IMH, together with psychiatrists and psychologists, “The MH crew visited Pudukkottai, one of many worst-hit districts, and recognized folks in misery and grief. We stayed there for 2 to 3 days and adopted up on those that wanted psychological care.” Well being care,” she stated.
After a catastrophe, bodily wants comparable to shelter are met, however psychological well being wants are sometimes ignored, she stated, including: “Individuals can go into shock and never know what to do. In a disaster they could search for help programs. We have to have psychological well being help programs in place that work in tandem with the overall medical crew. We’d like to have the ability to assess and determine individuals who have acute stress reactions, who want grief counseling or different help,” she stated.
Extra effort wanted
Sivabalan Elangovan, a marketing consultant psychiatrist in Chennai, stated that in disaster conditions comparable to wars or disasters, efforts are first made to revive all amenities. “Financial system, well being and stabilization in case of battle are among the many focus areas, however the psychological well being of the inhabitants in these areas is just not taken under consideration. Psychological well being providers are crucial as a result of crises and emergencies have long-lasting results on youngsters and adolescents. Entry to psychological well being providers must be established as a precedence throughout emergencies and main disasters,” he identified.
He careworn that in a rustic like India, decentralization of psychological well being providers should be the purpose to make sure availability and easy accessibility. “Psychological well being providers are seen as a luxurious, however they’re important,” Dr. Sivabalan added.
Dedication to accessibility
He stated that being mentally wholesome is crucial to coping with any catastrophic scenario, including: “We should make sure that psychological well being providers can be found throughout any emergency or catastrophe. With the rise in unhealthy behaviors, drug abuse, violence and non-communicable ailments, sustaining psychological well being is crucial. We have to actively promote the dialog round psychological well being in all sectors to take away stigma.”
Dr. Lakshmi additionally referred to the WHO and Inter-Company Standing Committee tips on psychological well being and psychosocial help in emergencies. “This outlines learn how to present psychological help to folks throughout disasters, and it is very important actively implement it,” she careworn.
issued – October 10, 2025 6:00 AM IST
