On October 10, 2025, World Mental Health Day is observed globally, focusing on addressing mental health needs during humanitarian emergencies and crises.

About Mental Health

• Definition: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively, and contribute to the community.”
• India Mental Health Issue: WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100 00 population.
  • Age-adjusted suicide rate per 100 000 population is 21.1.
  • The economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012-2030, is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion.
• Global Status: Over one billion people worldwide are living with mental health disorders.
  • More than 720 000 people die due to suicide every year (More than 50% of these occur below the age of 50 ) 
• Crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics exacerbate mental health conditions, causing emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mental Health During Crisis

• Increased Vulnerability: Individuals affected by catastrophes experience heightened stress, trauma, and loss, which can lead to acute mental health conditions.
• • One in five people (22%) who have experienced war or conflict in the previous 10 years have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
• Children and Adolescents: Young populations are particularly vulnerable due to exposure to violence, displacement, and trauma.
• Undervalued Needs: Mental health often receives less priority than physical relief in emergencies, despite being essential for overall recovery.
• Climate Change Impacts: Disasters linked to climate change, such as cyclones and floods, intensify emotional and psychological stress in affected communities.

Challenges in Addressing Mental Health During Crises

• Accessibility Issues: Mental health services are often centralized, making them difficult to access in remote or disaster-affected areas.
• Stigma and Misunderstanding: Many populations equate mental health with mental illness, leading to underutilization of available services.
• Resource Constraints: Limited trained professionals and inadequate integration with disaster relief systems hamper effective mental health response.
• Long-Term Impact: Unaddressed trauma can result in chronic mental health conditions, substance abuse, and social dysfunction, particularly among children and adolescents.

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Initiatives Addressing Mental Health during Crisis

• Post-Tsunami Interventions: After the 2004 tsunami, India developed psychological first-aid protocols integrated with disaster relief.
• COVID-19 Task Force: The pandemic prompted the establishment of dedicated mental health task forces to provide accessible care.
• Crisis Response Teams: During events like Cyclone Gaja (2018), psychiatrists and psychologists were deployed to affected districts to provide counseling and follow-up care.
• WHO Guidelines: The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support guide interventions in disaster and emergency settings.

Conclusion

Prioritizing mental health in crises is essential for resilient communities. Accessible, integrated, and stigma-free mental health services ensure recovery, stability, and well-being for vulnerable populations globally.

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