The mental health needs of people affected by emergencies are significant, but often overlooked by health-care providers.¹1. Mollica RF, Cardozo BL, Osofsky HJ, Raphael B, Ager A, Salama P. Mental health in complex emergencies. Lancet. 2004 Dec 4-10;364(9450):2058-67.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17519-3 PMID:15582064
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)... The world is facing an unprecedented number of humanitarian emergencies arising from conflict and disasters. In 2014, nearly 60 million people were forcibly displaced due to conflict, the highest number on record.²2. World at war: UNHCR global trends in forced displacement 2014. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 2015. Available from: Available from: http://unhcr.org/556725e69.html#_ga=1.57518634.1082092447.1439460767 [cited 2015 August 15].
http://unhcr.org/556725e69.html#_ga=1.57... Climatic and geological hazards continue to take their toll, as seen recently following the devastating earthquake in Nepal, cyclone in Vanuatu and flooding in China, Malawi and Myanmar.

Although estimated rates of mental disorder after conflict vary due to differences in context and study methods, a meta-analysis of methodically stronger surveys indicate average rates of 15-20% for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.³3. Steel Z, Chey T, Silove D, Marnane C, Bryant RA, van Ommeren M. Association of torture and other potentially traumatic events with mental health outcomes among populations exposed to mass conflict and displacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2009 Aug 5;302(5):537-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.1132 PMID:19654388
http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.1132... This is in line with projected rates of mental disorder after disasters.⁴4. van Ommeren M, Saxena S, Saraceno B. Aid after disasters. BMJ. 2005 May 21;330(7501):1160-1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.330.7501.1160 PMID:15905230
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.330.7501.1... In humanitarian emergencies, mental health complaints are diverse in nature and severity.

First, grief and acute stress are usually transient psychological reactions to adversity and loss. These require a basic, supportive psychosocial response.⁵5. IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Geneva: Inter-Agency Standing Committee; 2007. Yet, when these reactions interfere with daily functioning - as is the case when people develop associated symptoms of insomnia, enuresis or hyperventilation - general health-care providers (e.g. non-specialized physicians, clinical officers and nurses) need to know how to manage this.

Second, common mental disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and prolonged grief disorder, may be triggered by extreme stressors (e.g. trauma and loss). These disorders may become chronic and undermine the functioning of individuals and communities, which is essential for their survival and socioeconomic recovery. Health-care providers need to know how to manage these problems and how to distinguish mental disorders from widespread emotional distress that is common in emergency settings.⁶6. Horwitz AV. Distinguishing distress from disorder as psychological outcomes of stressful social arrangements. Health (London). 2007 Jul;11(3):273-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1363459307077541 PMID:17606693
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13634593070775...

Third, pre-existing chronic psychoses, bipolar disorder, intellectual disability and epilepsy can cause significant vulnerability in the chaos of an emergency. People with these conditions are at particular risk of neglect, abandonment, abuse, interruption of maintenance medication and lack of access to health services. Moreover, triggered by the stress of adversity, people with a history of severe mental disorder may experience a relapse or exacerbation of existing symptoms.⁷7. Jones L, Asare JB, El Masri M, Mohanraj A, Sherief H, van Ommeren M. Severe mental disorders in complex emergencies.. Lancet 2009 Aug 22;374(9690):654-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61253-8 PMID:19700007
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)...

Finally, acute health risks and social problems due to alcohol and drug use can be magnified in humanitarian settings;⁸8. Ezard N. Substance use among populations displaced by conflict: a literature review. Disasters. 2012 Jul;36(3):533-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2011.01261.x PMID:22066703
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.20... health-care providers need to be able to manage harmful use of alcohol and drugs as well as life-threatening withdrawal.⁵5. IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Geneva: Inter-Agency Standing Committee; 2007.

There is consensus that humanitarian assistance should address mental health and psychosocial issues through intersectoral action.⁵5. IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Geneva: Inter-Agency Standing Committee; 2007. ⁹9. Tol WA, Barbui C, Galappatti A, Silove D, Betancourt TS, Souza R, et al. Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: linking practice and research.. Lancet 2011 Oct 29;378(9802):1581-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61094-5 PMID:22008428
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)... Currently, most health agencies do not routinely address these needs, though the programmes of Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Medical Corps are notable exceptions. Many international humanitarian organizations initiate important community-based psychosocial support interventions outside the health sector (e.g. child-friendly spaces, linking vulnerable people to resources) but ignore clinical intervention through health services.¹⁰10. Global review 2013. UNHCR's mental health and psychosocial support for persons of concern. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 2013. A recent analysis of records from 90 refugee camps confirms that mental health care is rarely provided: the average consultation rate across all camps for mental, neurological and substance use conditions was 4.3 visits per 1000 persons per month,¹¹11. Kane JC, Ventevogel P, Spiegel P, Bass JK, vanOmmeren M, Tol WA. Mental, neurological, and substance use problems among refugees in primary health care: analysis of the health information system in 90 refugee camps. BMC Med. 2014;12(1):228. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12916-014-0228-9 PMID:25420518
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12916-014-022... while the estimated prevalence rate of these conditions is much higher.⁴4. van Ommeren M, Saxena S, Saraceno B. Aid after disasters. BMJ. 2005 May 21;330(7501):1160-1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.330.7501.1160 PMID:15905230
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.330.7501.1...

To address these gaps in service provision, the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have released the mhGAP Humanitarian Intervention Guide.¹²12. mhGAP Humanitarian intervention guide: clinical management of mental, neurological and substance use conditions in humanitarian emergencies. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015. Available from: Available from: http://www.who.int/mental_health/publications/mhgap_hig/en/ [cited 2015 August 12].
http://www.who.int/mental_health/publica... This practical tool will help enable health-care providers in assessing and offering first-line management of mental, neurological and substance use conditions in humanitarian emergencies. The new guide is adapted from the mhGAP Intervention Guide¹³13. mhGAP Intervention guide for mental, neurological and substance use disorders for non-specialist health settings.; Geneva: World Health Organization 2010. Available from: Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44406/1/9789241548069_eng.pdf [cited 2015 August 12].
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665... a widely-used evidence-based manual for the management of these conditions.

During humanitarian crises, health systems tend to be overwhelmed and unable to meet the demand for basic services. Often, existing supportive care systems in the communities have been damaged. Human resources tend to be overstretched, with limited time for training. Access to specialists for referral and support is typically limited, while medication supply lines may be disrupted. Therefore, it is important to determine how interventions with proven efficacy can be most effectively scaled up in emergencies and refugee settings.¹⁴14. Murray LK, Tol W, Jordans M, Sabir G, Amin AM, Bolton P, et al. Dissemination and implementation of evidence based, mental health interventions in post conflict, low resource settings. Interv.2014;12 Suppl 1:94-112. We call upon all humanitarian health actors to implement agreed policy on mental health care¹⁵15. van Ommeren M, Wessells M; Inter-Agency Standing Committee Task Force on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. Inter-agency agreement on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Bull World Health Organ. 2007 Nov;85(11):822. PMID:18038066 and routinely include and evaluate clinical mental health care in their basic package of primary health services.¹²12. mhGAP Humanitarian intervention guide: clinical management of mental, neurological and substance use conditions in humanitarian emergencies. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015. Available from: Available from: http://www.who.int/mental_health/publications/mhgap_hig/en/ [cited 2015 August 12].
http://www.who.int/mental_health/publica... This will help to reduce mental suffering and improve the well-being and functioning of people affected by armed conflicts and disasters.¹⁶16. Epping-Jordan JE, van Ommeren M, Ashour HN, Maramis A, Marini A, Mohanraj A, et al. Beyond the crisis: building back better mental health care in 10 emergency-affected areas using a longer-term perspective. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2015;9(1):15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13033-015-0007-9 PMID:25904981
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13033-015-000...

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