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Mental health and psychosocial support

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Key points
  • Do not consider MHPSS services and support a ‘stand alone' sector, or let them become isolated from other services: they should be integrated in general community support and programmes and systems for public health, education and protection.
  • Do not describe a whole population as ‘traumatized'. The term ‘trauma' should not be used outside clinical programmes.
  • Integrate an MHPSS approach in all programmes and ensure that interventions foster the dignity and resilience of persons of concern.
  • Revive and strengthen family and community support systems and promote positive coping mechanisms of affected individuals and their families: these are key psychosocial interventions in an emergency.
  • Ensure that mental health care is functionally linked to, and preferably integrated in the general health system; avoid establishing parallel mental health services.
  • Take steps to introduce psychotherapeutic interventions for people with prolonged distress and take measures to avoid excessive prescription of psychotropic medication.
  • Facilitate intersectoral coordination through a Technical Working Group for MHPSS with actors in health, community-based protection, child protection, SGBV, education and nutrition.

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