The world faces an unprecedented number of humanitarian emergencies. In 2024, there were 122.6 million forcibly displaced people, 43.7 million refugees and 8 million asylum seekers. Seventy-one per cent of all people are hosted in low and middle-income countries; these are the highest numbers ever (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR], 2024).
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and fires are occurring alongside increasing incidences of flooding, hurricanes and cyclones, which seems to be in some way linked to climate change. The UN managed 43 active emergency declarations across 25 countries (United Nations Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs [OCHA], 2024).
Emergencies stretch services that may already be weak, but also bring out the immense resilience of people facing adversity. The Los Angeles fires of January 2025 show that even high income countries can be overwhelmed. The mental health and psychosocial response to complex humanitarian emergencies takes a public health perspective in which communal, psychosocial supports are emphasised, as well as primary healthcare and specialist services. The aims is to enhance community and individual resilience, as well as appropriate therapeutic responses.
The module will help psychiatrists have a better understanding of their role in complex emergencies, in keeping with international guidelines. We will:
- outline the impact of complex emergencies on mental health and the main tasks of a psychiatrist in this setting
- emphasise the need for cultural humility and sensitivity, as well as coordination with all other actors, particularly national and local actors
- discuss the lessons learned from studying epidemiology, evidence-based practice and mistakes made, giving examples to show how these have informed current responses.
This module will stretch the skills of volunteer UK psychiatrists. It will change them personally and professionally. There can be few things, however, that are as rewarding and transformative as this type of work.
Learning objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- describe what a complex emergency is and the UN frameworks that underpin response
- list the key mental health problems that may be prevalent
- demonstrate the role of a psychiatrist in an emergency
- outline the public health approach and the importance of intersectional coordination
- describe the principle of building back better
- list international principles and guidelines for use in an emergency.
Availability
We are pleased to offer this module free for those without a paid subscription. If you are a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, you can log in straight away using the same username and password with which you access the members' area of the College website. Otherwise, all you need to do is register with the College.
