Introducing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in emergencies

The course is available in:

Polski – Українська – Spanish

Course contents

Module 1: Overview on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS): definition, guidelines and principles:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: define MHPSS; describe the 9 key actions on mental health from the Sphere Handbook; explain the importance of MHPSS in emergencies.

Module 2: Coordinating a team with other sectors / clusters providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS):
By the end of this module, you should be able to: explain the rationale for MHPSS Coordination; describe where MHPSS fits, including in Public Health Emergencies; outline the Core Functions of MHPSS Coordination; review the rationale for Monitoring and Evaluation of MHPSS activities; describe the IASC Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and explain how the IASC Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework can be used.

Module 3: Assessing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) needs and resources to guide programming:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: describe why MHPSS assessments are needed; list the key considerations for planning MHPSS assessments and have knowledge of key WHO and IASC MHPSS assessment tools.

Module 4: Working with community members, including marginalised people, to strengthen community self-help and social support:
Please note that this module is under construction. As soon as it is published, an email will be sent to you so that you can access it.

Module 5: Including basic psychosocial support skills in an emergency response or programme:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: describe what basic psychosocial skills are; describe what psychological first aid is and is not; explain who is likely
to need psychological first aid and when; describe the action principles of psychological first aid; explain who may need more support than psychological first aid can offer; and describe how psychological first aid and training in basic psychosocial support skills can be included as part of an emergency response and programme.

Module 6: Developing and implementing a plan for mental health integration into general health care in humanitarian settings:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: identify the need of integrating mental health into general health care in humanitarian settings; explain the priority mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions covered in mhGAP-HIG; be familiar with how to work using the mhGAP-HIG manual and mhGAP operations manual; and explain key operational considerations for integration of mental health in general health care in humanitarian settings.

Module 7: Identifying suitable tools and integrating psychological interventions into health and social sector implementation plans in emergencies:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: understand scalable psychological interventions and why they are important; describe the key aspects of psychological intervention program design and implementation; list key WHO psychological interventions and where they could fit within a stepped care model and describe what you need to consider when adapting psychological interventions for different modes of delivery.

Module 8: Assessing psychiatric hospitals and residential homes and supporting people with severe mental health conditions:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: describe why it is important to focus on psychiatric hospitals and residential homes in emergencies; list key actions for assessments and for protecting and supporting persons in psychiatric hospitals and residential homes; and have knowledge of key WHO and IASC MHPSS guidance and tools.

Module 9: Assessment of needs and integrating interventions for the management of conditions related to substance use:
By the end of this module, you should be able to introduce the tool for rapid assessment of alcohol and other substance use in humanitarian settings; orient participants in screening and brief interventions for alcohol/drug use in humanitarian settings; and to improve knowledge on recognizing and management of acute and emergency conditions (overdose and alcohol withdrawal) related to substance use in humanitarian settings.

Module 10: Engaging multiple stakeholders to build back better sustainable mental health care following emergencies:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: understand how to contribute to long term mental health systems strengthening during and after each emergency and gain insights from WHO’s experience in building back better.

Module 11: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) during COVID-19:
Please note that this module is under construction. As soon as it is published, an email will be sent to you so that you can access it.

Extra module: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) before, during and after radiological and nuclear emergencies:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: describe how radiological and nuclear emergencies carry substantial and unique stressors; explain how they impact the mental health and psychosocial well-being of those affected; and describe the recommended key actions and considerations to address MHPSS before, during and after radiological and nuclear emergencies.

Extra Module: Monitoring and Evaluation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in emergency settings:
By the end of this module, you should be able to: explain monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and the rationale for MHPSS M&E; describe the history of the IASC common monitoring and evaluation framework; outline the key M&E terms in the framework; describe the IASC common M&E framework for MHPSS; explain the practical steps for using the IASC common M&E framework, and highlight key tools and resources for MHPSS M&E.