GUEST COLUMN : Healing minds amidst crisis- mental health in emergency scenarios

Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta

When disaster strikes suddenly— whether through conflict, natural calamity, accidents or displacement — it doesn’t just destroy homes and infrastructure. It shatters lives, identities, and the invisible sense of safety that keeps us anchored.Amid the rush by the good Samaritans and humanitarian workers to provide food, shelter, and medical care, one crucial aspect often remains neglected — mental health. Mental health of the survivors and the people providing help –both suffer and needs as much and quick help and attention as the other factors. Mental health is the foundation of physical health and an important pillar of holistic health. In a place and time when disasters are alarmingly becoming part of life with rising frequency, this aspect gains more weight especially in a year which saw various disasters in Uttarakhand.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in five people in conflict-affected areas is estimated to have a mental health condition. Integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into emergency response plans has now become a global priority.
Efforts by organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR and Red Cross emphasise not only crisis intervention but long-term mental health recovery and system rebuilding. They recognise the fact that healing the communities requires more than rebuilding structures — it requires rebuilding the traumatised minds. That’s why it is essential for everyone, including government officials, health and social care providers, school staff and community groups to come together. By working hand in hand, we can ensure the most vulnerable have access to the support they need while protecting the well-being of everyone. 

The invisible wounds of crisis

In humanitarian emergencies, people experience intense fear, grief, and uncertainty. Many have lost their loved ones, seen violence and death and destruction, or been uprooted from their homes. These experiences leave deep emotional scars in their psyche. Fear, hopelessness and grief due to the loss of their loved ones are some of the common symptoms they experience.
While some individuals show remarkable resilience, many others develop depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Panic attacks substance dependence and even suicidal tendencies.
Children, women, the elderly and people with pre-existing mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable. “Healing of the minds” goes beyond counselling sessions; it means creating safe spaces, rebuilding hope, a positive mindset and nurturing resilience. It involves families, communities, and systems working together to offer understanding and empathy rather than judgment, and presence rather than pity.

Each small act of kindness—a comforting word, a helping hand, or a moment of silence with someone in pain—becomes part of the healing process. Because when the mind begins to heal, the journey from crisis towards recovery truly begins.

Children who witness trauma are most vulnerable and may exhibit behavioral problems, nightmares, or regression, while adults may struggle with anxiety, hopelessness and guilt. For many, the pain is not visible — but it runs deep. Many children who survived the crisis may have lost their parents. Rehabilitation of such people and adoption of orphaned children is a very important part of psychological first aid.

WHO says that migrants and refugees face many traumatic mental health risks and stressors throughout their journey – from conflict and displacement to dangerous journeys and integration challenges in host countries. By the end of 2024, over 123 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide.

When support systems collapse people suffer

During crises, the very systems that provide comfort and structure — families, communities, schools, and healthcare — are disrupted. People are left without access to medication, therapy, clean water food or even the reassuring presence of loved ones.
This disconnection amplifies the distress. The result is a silent epidemic of psychological suffering that can persist long after physical wounds have healed or shelters have been rebuilt.

Stigma and neglect

Mental health has long been a neglected dimension of humanitarian response. Emergency relief often focuses on tangible needs — food, water, and shelter medicines— while the emotional and psychological needs are sidelined. More so because the caregivers are ignorant of their need and importance. This is very dangerous for the survivors and can lead to long lasting emotional wounds in them which may keep bleeding if psychological first aid is not provided instantly.
Moreover, stigma prevents many from seeking help. In many cultures, admitting distress is seen as a sign of weakness, not a natural reaction to extraordinary stress.

Why early psychological support matters

Timely mental health support can make the difference between early recovery and long-term psychological disability. Interventions such as Psychological First Aid (PFA), counselling and community-based mental health programmes help survivors feel safe, heard, and supported.
Integrating mental health into primary healthcare systems ensures that psychological needs are treated as essential, not optional. It also helps normalise conversations around trauma feelings and healing.

Building resilience in communities

Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and even grow through adversity. In humanitarian settings, building resilience means empowering individuals and communities with coping tools, restoring social connections, and helping people regain a sense of control and confidence to restart their life.
Re-establishing schools, promoting group activities, encouraging peer support, and training local counsellors can transform despair into hope.
When people reconnect with routines and meaningful activities, their sense of purpose and self-worth begins to return.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event like natural calamities, accidents etc.— either being part of it or witnessing it. It’s a very common and stressful condition where people relive the horrific scenes they have seen or have nightmares and wake up as if they have seen it again. Symptoms may also include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Psychological support, therapy and medications if needed, help such people to recover gradually.

Humanitarian workers also may face extreme stress and are often directly affected by the crises they respond to. Organisations and the government should provide rest, supervision, peer support and workplace mental health programmes to sustain an effective humanitarian response.

The way forward

Mental health care in humanitarian crises should be viewed not as a luxury, but as a lifesaving intervention. Healing trauma memories helps individuals regain dignity, rebuild relationships, and contribute again to their communities.
We must train more professionals in trauma-informed care, destigmatise emotional distress, and design sustainable systems that continue help and support long after the emergency phase ends.

When we speak of humanitarian aid, we must remember that recovery is not complete until minds are healed. Every life saved physically must also be nurtured emotionally.
Caring for mental health in emergencies is not only an act of compassion — it is an act of rebuilding humanity itself. It should not be neglected and incorporated in the healing and helping efforts.

(The author is a neuropsychologist, founder of a crisis helpline and designated CBSE counsellor. Views expressed are personal)