Improving mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programs to mitigate the health impacts of disasters

People show remarkable capacity to deal with the fear, damage, loss and disruption caused by disasters. Many, however, face long term mental health problems particularly if they are exposed to more than one disaster. The Evidence Mapping for Psychosocial Support (EviMaPS) Project was launched to assess existing disaster-related mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) policies and programs.

To identify disaster related mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) policies and programs, assess evidence of their impact on mental health, highlight evidence gaps, and provide actionable recommendations for policy, practice, and global guidance. 

In Phase 1, an adapted IASC¹ tool gathered details (who, what, where and when) of disaster related MHPSS programs and policies delivered since the release in 2007 of the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings.  An international survey collected data from key informants on program/policy details, timing, target populations, funding, and evaluation status. Phase 2 built on these findings with a scoping review of peer-reviewed studies published since 2007 that evaluated the impact and effectiveness of disaster related MHPSS programs and policies. Data extraction included program/policy design, timing, providers, settings, target populations, and outcomes. Findings from both phases were aligned with the IASC intervention pyramid and the WHO Health EDRM Framework. The combined analysis highlighted synergies, gaps, and areas for development, forming the basis for recommendations to policymakers, researchers, and WHO.

¹ IASC is an acronym for Inter-Agency Standing Committee - an inter-agency forum of United Nations and non-UN humanitarian partners founded in 1991 to strengthen humanitarian assistance.

Phase 1 identified 92 MHPSS programs and 9 policies across 19 countries and regions, most of which lacked formal evaluations, limiting the ability to assess their impact. Instead, they tended to rely on overarching guidelines. This underscores the critical role of international and national frameworks in shaping MHPSS policies.  The Phase 2 scoping review did not identify any evaluations of long term mental health benefits of MHPSS policies but identified 4 reviews and 33 studies on program effectiveness.  The studies reported generally positive outcomes, such as reduced symptoms and improved coping, with programs adapting to different sociocultural contexts. However, gaps remain in the evaluation of policies, pre-disaster programs, and their impact on high-risk groups. 

EviMaPS recommendations aim to enhance global capacity by refining IASC and WHO guidelines for disaster related MHPSS. Key adjustments include refining the intervention pyramid to highlight non-specialised supports as a foundation for higher-level care, and reinforcing a multilevel approach to care delivery.  A major challenge in strengthening global MHPSS is the lack of systematic evaluations. Stronger evaluation mechanisms are needed to support evidence-based policymaking and implementation. WHO and IASC guidelines help fill this gap by providing expert consensus where empirical evidence is lacking. As a vital resource for shaping policies and interventions, their continued refinement and integration into global frameworks will enhance the quality and effectiveness of MHPSS worldwide.

EviMaPS recommendations aim to strengthen MHPSS integration by incorporating mental health into disaster risk reduction plans including targeted strategies for high-need groups, such as displaced populations and frontline responders. Enhancing support for MHPSS staff and volunteers will help prevent burnout and ensure sustainable service delivery. These efforts will improve the relevance, coordination, and responsiveness of local MHPSS in addressing disaster related mental health challenges.

• Journal article submission pending
• Release of companion briefs pending