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According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Suicide is a major public health challenge, with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional, and economic consequences, and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide. The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 is about changing the narrative and perceptions around suicides – to start the conversation.
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to Antonia Mackay about how communities can build resilience to climate disasters and other shocks and hazards.
Antonia Mackay is the National Resilience Manager at Australian Red Cross, where she leads the organisation’s disaster resilience programming, including key initiatives like emergency-ready workshops and ready communities.
The IFRC Psychosocial Centre has published a guidance note providing an overview of the psychosocial consequences of virus outbreaks, with a focus on mpox, and outlines key considerations for MHPSS programming. The guidance note is intended for Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and IFRC departments who may be responding to Mpox in their country, or region.
The IFRC Psychosocial Centre has published two new guides on supportive supervision. The guides offers tools enabling Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies to get started on building supportive supervision systems.
Khan Yunis in the Southern Gaza strip has been the scene of intense bombardments and violence and Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has introduced a new way of supporting the children exposed.
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to Ana Mejia about mental health and the climate crisis.
Ana Mejia is a former member of the Youth Advisory Group of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and a volunteer from the Ecuadorian Red Cross. Ana leads a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team in the local Red Cross branch and she recently started to work as a consultant with the health team of the Red Cross Climate Centre.
On 19th October 2024 the IFRC, the UN and key humanitarian actors, are calling for an end to these violations of human principles and international law. The IFRC do so under the plea “Protect Humanity!” As the IFRC Psychosocial Centre we join that call because we know that too many of our colleagues across the globe have paid the highest price doing exactly that – protecting humanity.
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to John Richardson about disaster preparedness, disaster resilience and disaster risk reduction. And why it is a problem calling fires, floods and storms ‘natural disasters’.
The latest episode in the podcast series ‘Think Sport. Think Refuge.’ from the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) explores how sports can support the global mandate for refugee protection.
Dans cet épisode de Heartbeat of Humanity, Arz Stephan, conseiller technique SMSPSS, s’entretient avec Ahlem Cheffi, conseillère technique de SMSPS, sur les concepts de « dilemme éthique » et de « blessure morale » et sur leur impact sur les travailleurs humanitaires, y compris le personnel et les bénévoles de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, qui font souvent partie des premiers intervenants.
The Toolkit/Guide ‘A Hopeful, Healthy and Happy Living and Learning’ was presented in the context of a webinar on 17 June developed as part of the EU funded MENTALITY project piloting established and promising mental health practices with a focus on education in Europe.
In this episode Communication Officer at the IFRC PS Centre, Villads Zahle interviews project manager, Erni Kristiansen and project consultant, Bebbie Petersen about youth to youth Psychological First Aid (PFA) in Greenland.
Amid ongoing violence and unrest in the occupied territories, the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) staff and volunteers are providing safety and support for children.
In 2023, the PS Centre responded to 2,504 requests for assistance from 137 countries including 1,416 requests from organizations within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. PS Centre staff and management participated in 50 international fora as host, facilitator, presenter, speaker or participant and had 36 academic collaborations with 10 universities and 59 organizations.
The PS Centre has released five regional progress reports on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The five regions are Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Submit a progress report to the MHPSS resolution and promote your National Society’s work – watch the step-by-step video on how to submit the report.
The IFRC Psychosocial Centre is looking for a new MHPSS in Emergencies Specialist to take over the role of Co-Chairing the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG) alongside the WHO.
Many humanitarian workers including colleagues from Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) have been killed or injured in Gaza. They lost their lives trying to assist a civilian population suffering from bombings, chain displacement and a dire humanitarian situation.
Children need information that is carefully crafted to cater to their age group and preferences. Without these tailored materials, they might not understand or could misunderstand essential information that supports their protection and access to vital services.
While there is no doubt humanity is alive and well in the hearts of the millions of RCRC representatives across the globe it is equally true that the challenges we face have never been more severe. RCRC staff and volunteers are providing support and assistance whenever needed, wherever needed, whatever the cause of the needs and however its possible to meet them – and the sad truth is these efforts are in high demand.
This report covers a high-level overview of the climate-related mental health risks as identified by the consulted National Societies. Firstly, at risk population groups are highlighted and implications for the work of IFRC staff and volunteers are addressed. Secondly, examples of initiatives from National Societies are showcased to illustrate potential pathways to addressing the mental health and psychosocial challenges arising from the climate crisis.
In this episode Communication Officer at the IFRC PS Centre, Villads Zahle interviews emergency expert and MHPSS technical advisor, Shona Whitton about the newly published Training Guide on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies. Shona outlines the potential of the new guide in the context of her professional experiences in emergencies and the mental health implications for exposed individuals and communities.
This MHPSS in Emergencies training aims to prepare MHPSS responders, disaster managers, and emergency team leaders for work in the field by building understanding of basic concepts of MHPSS in emergencies as well as planning and implementing PSS activities.
In response to the exponentially growing need to provide Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services to people displaced from Ukraine National Societies have been committed to integrating and implementing Psychological First Aid (PFA) within their Ukraine Response to provide Psychosocial support and to ensure displaced Ukrainians receive the adequate services.