May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and those of us in the healthcare and emergency preparedness fields know that crisis situations can have a big impact on mental health. Individuals with existing mental health conditions can experience worsening symptoms during and after an emergency, and others can develop new conditions such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to the World Health Organization, there are international guidelines for providing mental health and psychosocial support during emergencies. These guidelines range from community self-help and communications to psychological first aid and clinical mental health care.