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):
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.
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.
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…
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.
We are pleased to announce that guidelines on Monitoring and Evaluation for MHPSS Programmes and corresponding Referral Guidance Note and Form are now available in French, Russian, Spanish, and Portugese.