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Guidance: Integrating MHPSS and Peacekeeping: a Mapping and Recommendations for Practitioners - IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (January 2024)

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2024) C1

A major problem facing the world is how to build peace following the ravages of increasingly protracted armed conflict. Armed conflicts leave behind shattered, divided societies that are at risk of repeating cycles of violence, and therefore need concerted peacebuilding efforts. Conflicts also take ... more

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Information Note: Disability and Inclusion in MHPSS - IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (January 2024)

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2024) C1

This document contains guidance for strengthening the disability inclusiveness of MHPSS responses and programmes in emergency settings. It is intended to supplement the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (2007). Overall Objective To consider and add ... more

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How to support survivors of gender-based violence when a GBV actor is not available in your area

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2023) CC

KEY MESSAGES Always talk to a GBV specialist first to understand what GBV services are available in your area. Some services may take the form of hotlines, a mobile app or other remote support. Be aware of any other available services in your area. Identify services provided by humanitarian pa ... rtners such as health, psychosocial support, shelter and non-food items. Consider services provided by communities such as mosques/ churches, women’s groups and Disability Service Organizations. Remember your role. Provide a listening ear, free of judgment. Provide accurate, up-to-date information on available services. Let the survivor make their own choices. Know what you can and cannot manage. Even without a GBV actor in your area, there may be other partners, such as a child protection or mental health specialist, who can support survivors that require additional attention and support. Ask the survivor for permission before connecting them to anyone else. Do not force the survivor if s/he says no. Do not proactively identify or seek out GBV survivors. Be available in case someone asks for support. Remember your mandate. All humanitarian practitioners are mandated to provide non-judgmental and non-discriminatory support to people in need regardless of: gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability status, age, ethnicity/tribe/race/religion, who perpetrated/committed violence, and the situation in which violence was committed. Use a survivor-centered approach by practicing: Respect: all actions you take are guided by respect for the survivor’s choices, wishes, rights and dignity. Safety: the safety of the survivor is the number one priority. Confidentiality: people have the right to choose to whom they will or will not tell their story. Maintaining confidentiality means not sharing any information to anyone. Non-discrimination: providing equal and fair treatment to anyone in need of support. If health services exist, always provide information on what is available. Share what you know, and most importantly explain what you do not. Let the survivor decide if s/he wants to access them. Receiving quality medical care within 72 hours can prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and within 120 hours can prevent unwanted pregnancy. Provide the opportunity for people with disabilities to communicate to you without the presence of their caregiver, if wished and does not endanger or create tension in that relationship. If a man or boy is raped it does not mean he is gay or bisexual. Gender-based violence is based on power, not someone’s sexuality. Sexual and gender minorities are often at increased risk of harm and violence due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Actively listen and seek to support all survivors. Anyone can commit an act of gender-based violence including a spouse, intimate partner, family member, caregiver, in-law, stranger, parent or someone who is exchanging money or goods for a sexual act. Anyone can be a survivor of gender-based violence – this includes, but isn’t limited to, people who are married, elderly individuals or people who engage in sex work. Protect the identity and safety of a survivor. Do not write down, take pictures or verbally share any personal/identifying information about a survivor or their experience, including with your supervisor. Put phones and computers away to avoid concern that a survivor’s voice is being recorded. Personal/identifying information includes the survivor’s name, perpetrator(s) name, date of birth, registration number, home address, work address, location where their children go to school, the exact time and place the incident took place etc. Share general, non-identifying information To your team or sector partners in an effort to make your program safer. To your support network when seeking self-care and encouragement. more

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Preparedness: saves time, money and lives

Inter-Agency Standing Committee; World Food Programme (2011) C2

This document addresses preparedness as an important investment against natural and man-made disasters. Through good practices, it urges the humanitarian community, governments and regional bodies to use preparedness thinking to be aware of risks, to reduce them and to plan ahead to combat them in o ... more

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Guidelines for Addressing HIV in Humanitarian Settings (IASC)
recommended

Inter-Agency Standing Committee UNAIDS (2010)

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Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Emergencies: What Should Humanitarian Health Actors Know?
recommended

IASC Reference Group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2010) C1

This document is for humanitarian health actors working at national and sub-national level in countries facing humanitarian emergencies. It applies to Health Cluster partners, including governmental and non-governmental health service providers. Based on the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psy ... more

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IASC Guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings
recommended

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2007) C1

Specific action sheets offer useful guidance on mental health and psychosocial support and cover the following areas coordination assessment monitoring and evaluation protection and human rights standards human resources community mobilisation and support health services education dissemination of i ... more

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Guía del IASC sobre Salud Mental y Apoyo Psicosocial en Emergencias Humanitarias y Catástrofes
recommended

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2007) C2

El Comité Permanente entre Organismos (IASC) ha elaborado esta Guía para posibilitar que quienes participan en acciones de ayuda humanitaria planifiquen, establezcan y coordinen un conjunto mínimo de respuestas multisectoriales para proteger y mejorar la salud mental y el bienestar psicosocial de ... more

Guidance: Integrating MHPSS and Peacekeeping: a Mapping and Recommendations for Practitioners - IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (January 2024)

Information Note: Disability and Inclusion in MHPSS - IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (January 2024)

How to support survivors of gender-based violence when a GBV actor is not available in your area

Preparedness: saves time, money and lives

Guidelines for Addressing HIV in Humanitarian Settings (IASC) recommended

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Emergencies: What Should Humanitarian Health Actors Know? recommended

IASC Guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings recommended

Guía del IASC sobre Salud Mental y Apoyo Psicosocial en Emergencias Humanitarias y Catástrofes recommended

Guidelines for Addressing HIV in Humanitarian Settings (IASC)
recommended

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Emergencies: What Should Humanitarian Health Actors Know?
recommended

IASC Guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings
recommended

Guía del IASC sobre Salud Mental y Apoyo Psicosocial en Emergencias Humanitarias y Catástrofes
recommended