Podcast Summary
Mental health needs during war and humanitarian crises: Anxiety, stress, depression, and substance use are common reactions during war and crises. Focus on psychological first aid, providing support and prevention, rather than pathologizing these reactions.
During times of war and humanitarian crises, such as the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the mental health needs of the affected population are extensive and ever-changing. Anxiety, stress, depression, and substance use are common, and it's essential not to pathologize these reactions. Instead, mental health providers focus on psychological first aid, which prioritizes support and prevention. The needs of those still in the country vary greatly depending on their safety and location, while millions of refugees face unique challenges. The mental health landscape will continue to evolve, and the urgent need for mental health support is clear.
Mental health care in war and disaster contexts: Providers prioritize basic needs first, use various means to deliver care, and mental health professionals show remarkable resilience in war zones
Mental health care during war or disaster situations requires a different approach compared to regular mental health care. In war contexts, normal reactions such as anxiety, reduced sleep, and problem-solving difficulties are common. Providers need to consider the context and prioritize basic needs first before addressing mental health concerns. Mental health professionals in war zones like Ukraine face their own challenges but show remarkable resilience and dedication to helping others. They continue to provide care through various means, including social media, and are supported by organizations that prioritize their well-being.
Providing mental health care in disaster response: Mental health care is crucial in disaster response. Offer emotional support, connect individuals with their network, and teach coping skills. Triage resources effectively, as not all require extensive treatment.
Providing care in the aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event involves more than just meeting basic needs and providing medical assistance. Mental health care is an essential component of recovery, and it's crucial to offer psychological first aid as soon as possible. This can involve providing emotional support, connecting individuals with their support network, and teaching them skills like cognitive coping to help them manage their thoughts and emotions. Short, skill-based interventions can be particularly effective, as they don't require a lot of time or resources but can still make a significant impact on people's mental health. Additionally, it's important to triage mental health care resources effectively, as not everyone will require extensive treatment. Some individuals may only need a little extra support or psychological first aid to help them cope. Overall, prioritizing mental health care alongside physical needs is essential for effective disaster response and recovery efforts.
Impact of War on Children's Mental Health in Ukraine: Children in Ukraine affected by war face mental health issues like behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Parents' wellbeing plays a crucial role in prevention.
The war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on the mental health of children, with many experiencing behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. However, it's important to remember that children are resilient and not every child will develop mental health issues. For those who do, ensuring the health and wellbeing of their parents is crucial for prevention. The USAID Victims of Torture Fund has been working in Ukraine since 2015, initially focusing on understanding the local population's needs and gaps in services. They have since implemented the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) and have been testing the effectiveness of shorter treatment sessions. Now, their focus is on building sustainability by training local supervisors and trainers in the CETA system of care.
A comprehensive mental health care system for low and middle-income countries: CETA is a scalable and sustainable approach to mental health care in low and middle-income countries, providing a comprehensive assessment, age-agnostic treatment, and training for laypeople to deliver care.
The Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) was developed as a comprehensive mental health care system to address the challenges of addressing mental health issues in silos, long assessments, age-specific training, and lack of continuity of care. CETA aims to create a scalable and sustainable mental health system by developing an assessment that addresses multiple problems, creating an age-agnostic treatment, and training laypeople to provide mental health care in low and middle-income countries where mental health professionals are scarce. The approach is based on evidence-based techniques and has been implemented in various settings around the world. CETA's goal is to create a system of care that addresses mental health needs throughout the lifespan and provides a connection between different levels of care, allowing individuals to receive the appropriate level of support as their needs change.
Addressing mental health challenges in Ukraine through task shifting: Task shifting involves training lay providers to deliver evidence-based psychological treatments, reducing stigma, increasing trust, and improving mental health outcomes in Ukraine. Veterans are effective in treating fellow veterans due to shared experiences and automatic trust.
In many parts of the world, including Ukraine, there is a lack of mental health workforce and high levels of stigma surrounding mental health care. To address these challenges, the global mental health field has adopted a strategy called task shifting, which involves training lay providers to deliver evidence-based psychological treatments. This approach has been effective in reducing stigma, increasing trust, and improving mental health outcomes. In Ukraine specifically, veterans have been found to be more effective in treating their fellow veterans due to shared experiences and automatic trust. However, it's important to note that this approach doesn't replace the role of trained mental health professionals but rather complements their work. Additionally, the historical context of Ukraine, marked by ongoing conflicts and deep-rooted trust issues, adds complexity to mental health care delivery in the country.
Expanding mental health care through technology during crises: Technology enables mental health care in local languages and cultures, reaches refugees in dispersed areas, and trains providers remotely, but professionals must consider unique challenges and barriers to effective delivery.
The availability of remote mental health services through technology has significantly expanded the reach and effectiveness of mental health care during times of war or natural disasters. This has been particularly important during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where refugees are spread out and not easily accessible in traditional refugee camps. The use of technology has enabled mental health providers to deliver services in local languages and cultures, and even train providers from a distance. However, it's important for mental health professionals to be aware of the unique challenges of delivering care remotely, such as checking in with clients and ensuring safety. USAID's support in funding the development and refinement of remote training programs for mental health providers is a significant advancement. For mental health professionals looking to help during disasters in other countries, it's important to consider language and cultural barriers and to avoid "dropping in and flying out" without proper training and preparation.
Supporting mental health providers in Ukraine: Financially aid jobless providers, offer training to new ones, and serve as a supportive voice for supervisors in Ukraine's mental health system.
There are multiple ways to support mental health providers in Ukraine during the ongoing crisis. One way is to financially support those who have lost their jobs and are unable to continue their work. Another way is to offer training and support to new providers in the CETA system of care. Additionally, there is a need for English-speaking individuals to serve as a supportive voice for supervisors in these countries, who often carry a heavy emotional burden. It's important to note the cultural significance of mental health care in Ukraine and to seek opportunities where one can make a meaningful impact. For those interested in supporting mental health providers in Ukraine, more information can be found on the American Psychological Association's website.
