MHPSS response in Ukraine
The IFRC Psychosocial Centre is supporting Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies to provide mental health and psychosocial support services to individuals and families fleeing Ukraine.
At border crossing points, in reception and transit centres, in host communities in receiving countries, and through school-based programmes and hotlines.
World Children’s Day 2021
Children’s Mental Health Matters Too
World Children’s Day 2021
Children’s Mental Health Matters Too – French
World Children’s Day 2021
Children’s Mental Health Matters Too – Spanish
Suicide Prevention
Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide.
But suicides can be prevented.
Children’s Mental Health Matters Too
World Children’s Day 2020: Celebrating World Children’s Day in the time of COVID 19
For Children
My Hero is You 2
This is a video adaptation and sequel to the children’s book My Hero is You. It is a 4-minute film that aims to convey messages of hope, resilience, solidarity, and empowerment to children and their caregivers worldwide.
The Global Particpation of My Hero is You
An animated film that reflects on the global collaboration that went into the making of My Hero is You.
My Hero is You: Puppet Show in Arabic
My Hero is You, adapted as as a puppet show in Arabic. The puppet show was created through a collaboration between seven organizations: WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, IMC, AAH, DORCAS, and SARC (Syrian Arab Red Crescent).
My Hero is You
The children’s book My Hero is You, adapted as an animated film. The film aims to convey and extent the book’s aim to empower children by helping them understand and cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
IFRC videos
Selected videos from IFRC.
Red Talk: Managing Ambiguity
In this Red Talk, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Technical Advisors Ea Suzanne Akasha and Sarah Harrison talk us through recognizing ambiguous feelings and what can be done to manage ambiguity in times of uncertainty.
Red Talk: Dealing with Climate Anxiety
In this Red Talk, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Technical Advisor Melanie Powell talks about climate anxiety and how to cope with it.
Mental health in an unequal world
During humanitarian crisis, rates of mental health conditions can double. Yet, there are fewer than two mental health workers per 100,000 people in low income countries where most humanitarian crisis occour.
Produced by the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent for World Mental Health Day 2021.
Red Cross Red Crescent Reference Centres
The PS Centre is a Reference Centre, the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support. Reference Centres are Centres of Expertise in defined areas. See this video to learn more.
Red Talk: MHPSS and COVID-19
Chika from IFRC interviews PS Centre Technical Advisor Ea Suzanne Akasha about the relation between MHPSS and COVID-19.
World Mental Health Day 2019
Campaign video about Mental Health and Psychosocial Support produced by the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent for World Mental Health Day 2019.
Interviews
The well-being guide
IFRC Psychosocial Centre Technical Advisor Sarah Harrsion introduces the well-being guide, a collection of exercises helping to reduce stress, recharge and build inner resiilence.
A Hopeful, Healthy & Happy Living & Learning Toolkit
Ea Suzanne Akasha, technical advisor in the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, presents the training toolkit: A Hopeful, Healthy & Happy Living & Learning Toolkit, a series of tools designed to facilitate support for children, parents/caregivers and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but may be useful for anyone, anywhere, and any time.
On-line facilitation in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Ea Suzanne Akasha, technical advisor in the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, introduces the new guide On-line facilitation in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. The guide builds on experiences with conducting participatory on-line MHPSS training at the Psychosocial Centre and encourages the use of on-line trainings combining technical skills with social-emotional learning.
Honduran Red Cross MHPSS Response to the Eta-Iota Hurricanes
Greisy Trejo, Emergency Health Officer and MHPSS of the IFRC Regional Office of the Americas, interviews Dina Mendoza, responsible for the MHPSS response of the Honduran RC for the emergency caused by the Eta-Iota hurricanes, about the MHPSS support for affected populations.
The Making of My Hero is You
Interview with Sarah Harrison, Co-Chair of the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, talks about the lessons learned and the making of My Hero is You.
Caring for staff and volunteers in the COVID-19 outbreak response
Interview with Esmail Yesuf, Senior Psychological Support Officer, Ethiopian Red Cross
Caring for Staff and volunteers in the COVID-19 outbreak response
Interview with Emad Hadi, Psychologial Support Core Team, Iraq Red Crescent Society
Caring for Staff and volunteers in the COVID-19 outbreak response
Hear technical advisor Eliza Cheung from the IFRC Psychosocial Centre talk about caring for staff and volunteers in the COVID-19 outbreak.
Psychosocial support during an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease
Eliza Cheung of Hong Kong Red Cross explains the importance of providing psychosocial support during an outbreak of Ebola
Movement videos
Educational videos about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s implementation of the mental health and psychosocial support framework
MHPSS Roadmap – Basic level of MHPSS across sectors
Working Group 1 presented by co-leads Sarah Davidson (British Red Cross) and Sarah Harrison (IFRC PS Centre) in the State of Play Workshop, December 2021.
MHPSS Roadmap – Reinforce the Movement’s MHPSS collaboration
Working Group 2 presented by co-leads Louise Kryger (Danish Red Cross) and Douglas Khayat Araujo Siqueira (ICRC) in the State of Play Workshop December 2021.
MHPSS Roadmap – Promote the MHPSS support of staff and volunteer
Working Group 3 presented by co-leads Maite Zamacona (Swedish Red Cross) and Ines Hake (IFRC) in the State of Play Workshop December 2021.
MHPSS Roadmap – Demonstrate the impact of MHPSS interventions
Working Group 4 presented by co-leads Monia Aebersold (Swiss Red Cross) and Michelle Engels (IFRC PS Centre) in the State of Play Workshop December 2021.
MHPSS Roadmap – Strengthen the advocacy for mental health and resource mobilization
Working Group 5 presented by co-leads Jakob Harbo (Danish Red Cross) and Joy Muller (IFRC) in the State of Play Workshop December 2021.
Movement-wide MHPSS Progress Survey Results
The Movement conducted a follow-up survey in 2021 to capture the mental health and psychosocial activities provided by the Movement components and compare it with the survey results from a similar survey in 2019.
Linking the MHPSS Roadmap with Protection
Linking the MHPSS Roadmap Implementation and the Protection sector in the Movement, presented by Milena Osorio, Head of Mental Health and Psychosocial Team at ICRC.
MHPSS Roadmap: Roundtable of Managers and Leaders
The Movement’s leaders and managers came together during the State of Play Workshop on the progress of the Roadmap Implementation, to discuss how staff and volunteer mental health can be promoted and how a basic level of MHPSS can be ensured across the Movement.
In English
In French
In Spanish
In Arabic
Let’s Act Together
ICRC and IFRC joint video statement on MHPSS.
Trainings
Let’s talk about Psychological First Aid – Ukrainian
An introduction to Psychological First Aid and its three action principles of Look, Listen and Link in Ukrainian.
This video explains when to provide PFA, who can provide PFA and how the methods explained can help people in distress.
Let’s Talk about Psychological First Aid
PS Centre Technical Advisor an author of ‘A Guide to Psychological First Aid’ Pernille Hansen introduces PFA: What is it, when do you provide PFA, who can provide PFA and how?
Psychological First Aid: Look, Listen, Link
In this second video about PFA, PS Centre Technical Advisor an author of ‘A Guide to Psychological First Aid’ Pernille Hansen introduces the action principles of Look, Listen and Link.
Psychological First Aid in Conflict: Look
In Psychological First Aid, the action principle ‘Look’ refers to assessing:
Information on what has happened and is happening • who needs help • safety and security risks • physical injuries • immediate basic and practical needs • emotional reactions
The Principle of ‘Look’ is demonstrated in this short role play video.
Psychological First Aid in Conflict: Listen
In Psychological First Aid, the action principle of LISTEN refers to how the helper:
Approaches someone • introduces oneself • pays attention and listens actively • accepts others’ feelings • calms the person in distress • asks about needs and concerns • helps the person(s) in distress find solutions to their immediate needs and problems.
The Principle of ‘Listen’ is demonstrated in this short role play video.
Psychological First Aid in Conflict: Link
In Psychological First, the action principle of LINK refers to helping the person in distress
Access information • connect with loved ones and social support • tackle practical problems • access services and other help.
The Principle of ‘Link’ is demonstrated in this short role play video.
Psychological First Aid for COVID-19
The Basic training in PFA for COVID19 outbreak response conducted by psychologist and MHPSS specialist Pernille Hansen.
Psychological First Aid for COVID-19 – Caring for staff and volunteers
The additional module on caring for staff and volunteers of the PFA training for COVID19 by psychologist and MHPSS specialist Pernille Hansen.
Psychological First Aid for children during COVID-19
The additional module on PFA for children during COVID19 by psychologist and MHPSS specialist Pernille Hansen.
Webinars
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support before during and after radiological and nuclear emergencies
On 12 April, at the MHPSS European Network Digital Network Meeting ‘Migration in Europe’, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Technical Advisor talks about Mental Health and Psychosocial Support before during and after radiological and nuclear emergencies.
MHPSS in and for ukraine
On 12 April 2022, at the MHPSS European Network Digital Network Meeting ‘Migration in Europe’, technical manager of the psychosocial services at the Austrian Red Cross Dr. Barbara Juen talks about the ongoing MHPSS responses in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Mine Action
On 16 November 2021, in a side event at the International Anti-Landmine Conference, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, PS Centre Technical Advisor Sarah Harrison explains the role of Psychosocial Support in Mine Action
Unboxing: A Hopeful, Healthy, and Happy Living and Learning Toolkit
The authors of the three resources in the toolkit, Ea Suzanne Akasha, Mark Kucklow and Jonathan Morgan ‘unboxed’ the toolkit and introduced the elements of the toolkit resources and how they might be used in practice, while participants had an opportunity to discuss the tools with the authors and each other.
MHPSS Behind the Screen Series: Episode 1
MHPSS Behind the Screen Series is produced by the PS Centre, and it is about how to conduct MHPSS trainings online. Episode 1 talks about how to apply MHPSS principles to online training platforms.
MHPSS Behind the Screen Series: Episode 2
MHPSS Behind the Screen Series is produced by the PS Centre, and it is about how to conduct MHPSS trainings online. Episode 2 looks into the various technical aspects of planning for an online training.
MHPSS Behind the Screen Series: Episode 3
MHPSS Behind the Screen Series is produced by the PS Centre, and it is about how to conduct MHPSS trainings online. Episode 3 talks about how to transform a longer MHPSS training into an online format.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in mine action – 24th NDM-UN Side Event
This side event seeks to raise awareness on the importance of integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Victim Assistance and Mine Action at large.
Webinar: PFA for all – anywhere and anytime
Psychological First Aid. A webinar for IFRC National Societies by Ea Suzanne Akasha & Anouk Boschma, the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support.
Webinar: Remote Psychological First Aid
By Pernille Hansen, psychologist and MHPSS specialist, & Anouk Boschma, technical advisor, The IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support.
Webinar: Caring for Staff and Volunteers
Technical Advisors for the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, Ea Suzanne Akasha & Anouk Boschma, host a webinar on how to care for staff and volunteers in a National Society.
Loss and Grief During COVID-19
The additional module on PFA for children during COVID19 by psychologist and MHPSS specialist Pernille Hansen.
Webinar: How are children and adolescents doing during COVID-19?
Sleeping, eating and moving. In a research update for European National Societies, the main areas of intervention to improve the wellbeing of children and adolescents were to support children to sleep well, eat properly and exercise.
Webinar: Moral Injury – expanding our understanding of trauma
- What is the concept of moral injury and how does it expand our understanding of trauma?
- What does the research on moral injury in relation to refugees show us?
- How can we use the concept in relation to humanitarian workers?
Webinar: Five Essential Elements of Psychosocial Support – A conversation with Stevan Hobfoll
Psychosocial support after disasters or other traumatic events should promote five essential principles: 1) a sense of safety 2) calming, 3) Self- and community efficacy 4) social connectedness 5) hope.
Webinar: Setting up and running psychosocial support actitivies in an ERU
By Eliza Cheung, clinical psychologist and specialist in psychosocial support, Hong Kong Red Cross and the PS Centre.
Webinar: Psychosocial Support as part of a FACT mission
Lessons learned from deployments to natual disasters and population movement. Organised by the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support and the IFRC Health and Care Department, Emergency Medical Services.
Webinar: Psychological First Aid – Between evidence and practice
Why is the evidence-base for PFA so limited?
What are the challenges for conducting research on PFA?
Webinar: Part 1 – Inner Resilience: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Part one is titled “Psychosocial Support for Resilience Building: World Disaster Report 2016” and is presented by Dr Maureen Mooney.
Webinar: Part 2 – Inner Resilience: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Presented by Dr Lee Devaney, psychologist, British Red Cross, CRUA project: Building Psychosocial Resilience: Experience from the CRUA project.
Webinar: Part 3 – Inner Resilience: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Part three of the webinar “Inner Resilience: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support contains the Q&A session, which followed the presentations by Maureen Mooney and Lee Devaney
Video Podcasts
Mental Health in an Unequal World
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Jesper Guhle explores the potential mental health consequences for people forced to migrate. Jesper interviews Villads Zahle, Senior Communications Coordinator in the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, Barly, dancer, artist, podcaster and chef, and Sarah Harrison, Technical Advisor in the IFRC Psychosocial Centre.
Caring for Carers
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Technical Advisor Ea Suzanne Akasha interviews Stephen Regel, Clinical Lead for the Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth, about the effect of the pandemic on frontline workers and what we can do to support them.
Vaccine Hesitancy
Technical Advisor Eliza Cheung interviews Technical Advisor Melanie Powell about vaccine hesitancy – what is vaccine hesitancy and what should be the response.
Mental health of young adults during COVID-19
Ea Suzanne Akasha, technical advisor at the IFRC PS Centre, interviews professor Dr. Barbara Juen, technical manager of the psychosocial services at the Austrian Red Cross and scientific advisor to ENPS , and psychologist Vanessa Kulcar, about young adult s’ mental health during COVID-19.
ABC of disasters and research findings applied to COVID-19
Ea Suzanne Akasha, technical advisor at the IFRC PS Centre, interviews professor dr. Barbara Juen, technical manager of the psychosocial services at the Austrian Red Cross and scientific advisor to ENPS and IFRC PS Centre, about the psychosocial effects during COVID-19.
Research recommendations for the upcoming phases of COVID-19
Ea Suzanne Akasha, Technical Advisor at the IFRC PS Centre, interviews Dr. Professor Barbara Juen, Technical Manager of the psychosocial services at the Austrian Red Cross and Scientific Advisor of ENPS and the IFRC PS Centre, about the psychosocial effects of COVID-19
International Older Persons Day
An interview with Marija Juzbašić, Senior Officer for Anti-trafficking and the PS Unit, by Ea Suzanne Akasha, IFRC PS Centre Technical Advisor.
Suicide prevention
An interview with Kelly McBride, technical advisor, about suicide prevention, by Ea Suzanne Akasha, technical advisor, IFRC PS Centre.
Fear and guilt during COVID-19
An interview with Melanie Powell, MHPSS Technical Advisor at the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, by Ea Suzanne Akasha, technical advisor, IFRC Psychosocial Centre
Calming people down
An interview with Pernille Hansen, Psychologist and MHPSS specialist, by Despina Constandinides, MPHSS delegate
Caring for staff and volunteers
An interview with Louise Steen Kryger, psychologist, MHPSS senior adviser in Danish Red Cross, by Ea Suzanne Akasha,technical advisor, IFRC PS Centre
Proud to volunteer
An interview with Sarah Harrison, IFRC PS Centre technical advisor and Co-chair of IASC MHPSS
.
Psychological First Aid in COVID-19
An interview with Pernille Hansen, Psychologist and MHPSS specialist, by Ea Suzanne Akasha,technical advisor, IFRC PS Centre
Monitoring and evaluation in COVID-19
An interview with Sarah Harrison, technical advisor, IFRC PS Centre, IASC MHPSS RG co-chair, and Koen van Praet, technical advisor, Belgium Red Cross, Flanders, by Ea Suzanne Akasha,technical advisor, IFRC PS Centre
Peer Support and Buddy Systems
An interview with Despina Constandinides, MPHSS delegate, by Ea Suzanne Akasha, technical advisor, IFRC Psychosocial Centre
Exercises
Drawing Perfect Circles
Stress and anxiety can lead to tense shoulders, which affects the functioning of the neck and negatively impacts breathing. The PS Centre has therefore designed this exercise to enhance body awareness and encourage shoulder relaxation.
Movement, Coordination and Balance
This exercise is themed around movement, coordination, and balance. Improving these three components can increase your strength and stability and help with your posture when working at your desk or at home.
Balance and Motion
This exercise requires your entire body to work together to maintain stability. It promotes stability, in both the body and the mind. It is therefore important to quiet the mind and stay focused on the movement itself.
Ease Menstrual Pain
This exercise is designed to help females with menstrual pain by moving the back and pelvic regions.
Ease Wrist Tensions
The aim of this exercise is to ease the tension and minimize pain in the wrists through loose hand movements.
Yawning Exercise
Yawning is an often overlooked, yet contagious and effective reflex to relax. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s rest and digestion response. This exercise therefore focuses on the benefits of yawning to relax the mind and the body.
Relaxing the Shoulders and Neck
Daily stretches of the muscles can minimize these headaches and prevent the nervous system from increasing tensions throughout the body. This exercise aims to release any built-up tension in the neck and shoulders.
Wrist Tension Exercise
This speedy relaxation exercise, which can be done sitting or standing at your desk, is a quick fix for tense wrists.
