Mental Health when your Workplace is an Emergency, a Disaster or a Warzone

Today, 10 October 2024, World Mental Health Day is marked under the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’.

“For many Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers their workplace is anywhere from a flood, a wild-fire or a disease outbreak to a zone of violence, conflict and displacement. That comes with specific and serious mental health implications and today we commemorate our most exposed colleagues across the globe in sympathy and respect. Because they represent humanity in action and deserve support which they so selflessly provide to others under the most challenging circumstances imaginable,” says Nana Wiedemann, Director IFRC Psychosocial Centre. 

In the context of the dire and escalating crises in the Middle East and the loss of RCRC colleagues the IFRC PS Centre has been cooperating with IFRC MENA region and 17 National Societies around WMHD this year.

“Our colleagues across the MENA region face extreme, unpredictable, and dangerous conditions daily. While self-care is essential, it is only one part of the picture – duty of care is the other half. Raising visibility and acknowledging their efforts is a critical form of psychosocial support. This campaign is a collaborative effort, led by the MENA National Societies, the IFRC PS Centre, and the IFRC MENA office. It is more than a gesture; it is a step towards recognizing their immense contributions, a call for action, and ensuring they receive the visibility and support they rightfully deserve as they continue to serve humanity under the toughest conditions,” says IFRC PS Centre Technical Advisor for the MENA region, Ahlem Cheffi.

Find below a variety of relevant resources on caring for staff and volunteers in different formats including recently produced podcasts and videos in Arabic.