News of IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings

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Cover of the three MHPSS Guidance

New MHPSS Guidance Endorsed

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The IASC Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG) endorsed three tools produced by the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health And Psychosocial Support In Emergency Settings (MHPSS RG):
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Cover Page: Living with the Times, A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Toolkit for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cartoons of people's daily life, A men reading a letter in an old home, while wife does laundries in the garden; A patient at doctor's office; Mother reading storybook to her children;  A man working on a videoconference with someone; A woman getting vaccinated at the hospital; and a grandmother playing with her grandchild in front of their house. All adults wearing masks.

NEW: Living with the Times, A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Toolkit for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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In addition to the wide range of publications that it drafted in response to the Covid-19, the MHPSS Reference Group identified a gap relating to the resources available to support older adults in the pandemic. It therefore prepared this toolkit, the first global interagency tool developed in the COVID-19 context to support mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of one of the most vulnerable age groups in this pandemic.
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cover for the "my hero is you" animated film

Adapted from the IASC Children's Book, The Animated Film of "My hero is You" is now Available!

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This video is an adaptation of the children’s book, My Hero is You, released in early 2020 to help educate children around the world about COVID-19. The original book was created by mental health and psychosocial support experts from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the United Nations.
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Photo of Antonio Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations during his remarks on COVID-19 and the need for action on mental health

António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) on COVID-19 and the need for action on mental health

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13 May 2020 Mental health is at the core of our humanity. It enables us to lead rich and fulfilling lives and to participate in our communities. But the COVID-19 virus is not only attacking our physical health; it is also increasing psychological suffering.   Grief at the loss of loved ones… Shock at the loss of jobs… Isolation and restrictions on movement… Difficult family dynamics… Uncertainty and fear for the future…
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A photo of a child flying on the back of a dragon and holding a paper with COVID virus drawn on it. this is a picture from the children storybook written to help children cope with COVID-19

My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19

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A new storybook that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.