Appraising Evidence-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Guidelines—PART II: A Content Analysis with Implications for Disaster Risk Reduction

Michel Dückers, Wera van Hoof, Andrea Willems and Hans te Brake
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Michel Dückers: ARQ Centre of Expertise for the Impact of Disasters and Crises, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands
Wera van Hoof: ARQ Centre of Expertise for the Impact of Disasters and Crises, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands
Andrea Willems: ARQ Centre of Expertise for the Impact of Disasters and Crises, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands
Hans te Brake: ARQ Centre of Expertise for the Impact of Disasters and Crises, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: High quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) guidelines are indispensable for policy and practice to address the mental health consequences of disasters. This contribution complements a review that assessed the methodological quality of 13 MHPSS guidelines. We analyzed the content of the four highest-ranking guidelines and explored implications for disaster risk reduction (DRR). A qualitative explorative thematic analysis was conducted. The four guidelines proved largely similar, overlapping or at least complementary in their MHPSS definitions, stated purpose of the guidelines, user and target groups, terminology, and models used. Many recommended MHPSS measures and interventions were found in all of the guidelines and could be assigned to five categories: basic relief, information provision, emotional and social support, practical support, and health care. The guidelines stress the importance of monitoring needs and problems, evaluating the effect of service delivery, deliberate implementation and preparation, and investments in proper conditions and effective coordination across professions, agencies, and sectors. The MHPSS knowledge base embedded in the guidelines is comprehensive, coherent, and sufficiently universal to serve as the “overarching framework” considered missing yet vital for the integration of MHPSS approaches in DRR. Although application contexts differ geographically, this common ground should allow policymakers and practitioners globally to plan, implement, and evaluate MHPSS actions contributing to DRR, ideally together with target groups.

Keywords: guidelines; quality; mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); DRR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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