“There cannot be health without mental health.”
-Former UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Dainius Pūras
Mending minds, rebuilding whole human health.
Operating across emergency and non-emergency contexts, Americares plays a crucial role. In disaster-stricken communities, where houses and hospitals crumble and lives are lost, the impact extends beyond physical damage. Trauma and stress ripple through the community, hitting health workers particularly hard. Addressing mental and physical health together is imperative, as long-term consequences linger even after the crisis wanes.
Americares steps up by building capacity, training, technical advice, and clinical care to meet this global challenge. Furthermore, our reach extends beyond emergencies – we’re dedicated to supporting clinics and healthcare workers worldwide, with a special focus on those serving uniquely vulnerable populations.
Working with local communities, we strive to help the helpers by enhancing existing health care systems and training health care workers to identify signs of stress and trauma after a disaster. Then we work to assess, collaborate, and ultimately co-create programs that are sustainable, culturally sensitive and resilient, effectively serving each unique community.
When disaster strikes, Americares has a history of “hitting the ground listening.” In Japan after the triple disaster of 2011, in the central and southern US after the 2021 deadly tornadoes, to present day with the war in Ukraine, we have encountered a great need for mental health support that is often overshadowed by the huge physical needs of communities in crisis.
During an emergency response, we begin by addressing immediate needs, such as emotional support and basic coping skills. Over time, this approach evolves into a comprehensive mental health program tailored to the unique needs of communities. This program incorporates ongoing support, community involvement, and specialized services.
As each disaster and response is unique, our mental health and psychosocial support services offer multifaceted interventions and culturally competent care. We always ensure that we respect and properly adapt to the cultural and emotional identities of the communities we assist, striving to provide the highest level of care possible.
Wherever we go, we try to find the community way to whole human health. For example:
Other emergency responses with robust mental health programs include:
Creating a personalized plan to manage anxiety and stress involves a combination of strategies that cater to your unique needs and preferences. Here are some tips to help you develop an effective plan.
Knowing how to support your mental health will help you in any crisis. It’s an important part of self care. Here are some tips our specialists provide to communities in crisis all over the world
