On 10 October we commemorate World Mental Health Day, an international day for global mental health education, awareness and policy advocacy. This year, United for Global Health along with World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) are arranging a virtual March for Mental Health, #MoveForMentalHealth – Let’s Invest. A 24-hour livestream of content from experts and individuals with first hand experiences has been created to illustrate the reality of mental health, increase awareness, break down stigma and help to bring about policy change.
But even in the days leading up to World Mental Health Day a series of events will mark the importance and increased awareness of MHPSS.
Please find below an overview of what is happening in the days to come
TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 14:00 - 16:00 CEST TIME
GLOBAL PROTECTION CLUSTER ONLINE FORUM ON MHPSS
There is a growing body of evidence that MHPSS is vital in the delivery of protection services. Yet, there are still several obstacles for MHPSS to produce the desired high impact. This session intends to address current issues by discovering which MHPSS elements can be integrated in which sector, defining responsibilities in MHPSS service delivery, how MHPSS gaps can be identified and how MHPSS services can be coordinated in different settings. Participants will be guided in making critical reflections about the situation in the country where they work.
WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 10:00 - 11:15 CEST TIME
WEBINAR: ‘PANDEMICS: DO THEY CHANGE HOW WE ADDRESS AGE & AGEING?
There is a growing body of evidence that MHPSS is vital in the delivery of protection services. Yet, there are still several obstacles for MHPSS to produce the desired high impact. This session intends to address current issues by discovering which MHPSS elements can be integrated in which sector, defining responsibilities in MHPSS service delivery, how MHPSS gaps can be identified and how MHPSS services can be coordinated in different settings. Participants will be guided in making critical reflections about the situation in the country where they work.
THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 12:30 – 14:30 CEST TIME
WHO MENTAL HEALTH FORUM
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Forum is the changing landscape of global mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.The theme reflects the urgent need for action on mental health as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
This year the WHO Mental Health Forum will take place online. It will provide an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to get an overview of mental health aspects of COVID-19 and the challenges and opportunities it has brought to mental health, both globally and locally.
For more information, please contact the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use by emailing mhForum@who.int to register and receive a copy of the weblink.
THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER
MOVEMENT PUBLICATION ON COVID-19 AND MHPSS
Ahead of World Mental Health Day, the IFRC and ICRC will publish a joint report about mental health during COVID-19. The report will be launched at an event hosted by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see below).
The joint report collates seven case studies from IFRC and ICRC mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities around the world – to highlight how Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are treating the hidden wounds of the pandemic among the world’s most vulnerable communities. It also reiterates the important messaging laid out in the resolution ‘Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies’, passed at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2019.
The report renews the movement’s call for integrated measures to address mental health and psychosocial needs within humanitarian response, alongside long-term investments in local and community-based mental health and psychosocial support workforce capacity – this is more important than ever in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report will be available on the PS Centre website from 8 October.
THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 14:30 – 15:30 CEST TIME
EVENT: ONE YEAR BEYOND MIND THE MIND NOW & POWER OF HUMANITY
In 2019, important steps were taken towards full integration of MHPSS into all emergency response, through the Amsterdam Conference Declaration, the 5 December decision by Inter Agency Standing Committee Principals to treat MHPSS as a cross cutting issue in all emergencies, and the adoption of the resolution Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies (33 IC/19/R2).
One year has passed.
The worldwide crisis of COVID-19 descended upon us. How have we performed? Where did we manage? And where do we need to improve and integrate MHPSS more thoroughly, across the board and faster?
Participants:
Ms Sigrid Kaag, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands
Mr Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies
Mr Robert Mardini, Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Dr Rabbih El Chammay, Psychiatrist and Head of National Mental Health programme at the Ministry of Public Health
Ms Rania Hibri of the Lebanese Red Cross
Ms Joy Abi Habib of Save the Children Lebanon
