The Integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Mapping and Review

Brandon Gray, Fahmy Hanna and Lennart Reifels
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Brandon Gray: Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
Fahmy Hanna: Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Lennart Reifels: Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: The field of disaster and emergency management has shifted in focus towards the goal of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). However, the degree to which the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) field has followed this trend is relatively unknown. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to identify relevant projects, materials, and publications relating to MHPSS and DRR integration and define current domains of action in this integration. A review was conducted using a two-pronged approach for data collection. This approach included 1) a mapping exercise eliciting relevant documentation and project descriptions from MHPSS actors, and 2) a database and internet literature search. The mapping exercise was conducted between January and November 2019, while the literature search was completed in March 2019. The majority of identified materials concerned actions of capacity and systems building; preparedness; policy development, consensus building, and awareness raising; school- and child-focused DRR; inclusive DRR; and resilience promotion. Results also suggested that relatively little consensus exists in terms of formal definitions of and frameworks or guidance for integrating MHPSS and DRR. Moreover, domains of action varied in terms of current implementation practices and empirical evidence. Materials and projects are reviewed and discussed in terms of implications for advancing the integration of DRR and MHPSS and expanding MHPSS approaches to include building better before emergencies.

Keywords: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support; Disaster Mental Health; Disaster Risk Reduction; Disaster Risk Management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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