World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health. This year, we shine a spotlight on a critical and often overlooked issue: the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies.

Whether it’s a natural disaster, armed conflict, or a public health crisis, these events don’t just damage infrastructure—they deeply affect people’s emotional and psychological well-being. In fact, 1 in 5 people living through such crises will experience a mental health condition. The trauma, uncertainty, and loss can leave lasting scars.

Mental health support can change everything

Providing mental health care during emergencies isn’t just compassionate—it’s life-saving. It gives people the strength to cope, the space to heal, and the tools to rebuild—not just as individuals, but as families, communities, and societies.

That’s why this year’s theme calls on all of us—from government leaders and healthcare providers to educators, social care workers, and community groups—to come together. Because when we act collectively, we can ensure that even in the darkest moments, no one is left behind.

What Are Humanitarian Crises?

Humanitarian crises are large-scale emergencies that threaten the health, safety, and well-being of a population. These events often overwhelm local resources and require urgent international or national assistance. They can be natural, man-made, or a combination of both. Some examples are:

Natural Disasters – earthquakes, floods, wildfires, droughts

Armed Conflicts and War

Public Health Emergencies

Famine and Food Insecurity

Mental Health Impact of Humanitarian Crises

During and after these crises, people often experience:

  • Acute stress, anxiety, and panic
  • Grief and loss from losing loved ones or homes
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression and hopelessness
  • Breakdown of social support systems

Children, older adults, people with disabilities, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions are especially vulnerable.

Why Mental Health Support Matters in Crises

Mental health care is often overlooked in emergency responses, yet it is essential for survival and recovery. Providing psychosocial support:

  • Helps people cope with trauma
  • Reduces the risk of long-term mental illness
  • Supports community resilience and rebuilding
  • Encourages hope, dignity, and agency

A Call to Action

World Mental Health Day 2025 urges us to:

  • Integrate mental health into emergency response plans
  • Train frontline workers in psychological first aid
  • Invest in community-based mental health services
  • Ensure access to care for displaced and marginalised populations

Below are just a few of the humanitarian crises in the world today and their impact:

Russia-Ukraine War (2022 – Present)

  • Casualties: Over 1 million killed or injured (as of late 2024)
  • Displaced People: Over 14 million (internally and externally)
  • Mental Health Impact: Severe trauma from bombings, loss, and displacement; increased suicide risk and substance abuse; mental health services overwhelmed or inaccessible [www.psychiatry.org]

Haiti Earthquake (2021)

  • Date: August 14, 2021
  • Magnitude: 7.2
  • Deaths: Over 2,200
  • Injured: 12,000+
  • Mental Health Impact: Acute stress and grief; long-term anxiety due to aftershocks and housing insecurity

COVID-19 Pandemic (2019 – Ongoing)

  • Global Impact:
    • Over 700 million cases and 7 million deaths globally
    • Lockdowns, isolation, and economic hardship
  • Mental Health Impact: Surge in depression, anxiety, and burnout; increased domestic violence and substance use

If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental wellbeing, you can find resources here to help you: World Mental Health Day 2025 – Wellbeing Info

If you are currently seeking support for yourself or someone you know, find out what we can offer by clicking HERE.