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Mental Health Support in Humanitarian Crises: Strategies to Cope with Trauma and Stress

Building Resilience Amid Crisis Through Mental Health Strategies in Humanitarian Settings

In the face of conflict, displacement, and natural disasters, mental health often becomes an overlooked aspect of humanitarian aid. Yet, for individuals and families experiencing these crises, the psychological toll can be as severe as the physical hardships they endure. As a global humanitarian organization, Mental Health Rescuers (MHR) is committed to providing psychosocial support to those affected by crises, helping them navigate trauma, stress, and uncertainty with dignity and resilience.


In humanitarian settings, such as refugee camps, conflict zones, and disaster-stricken communities, providing mental health support is as critical as supplying food, shelter, and medical care. This article outlines key strategies that MHR employs to help vulnerable populations cope with trauma and stress in these difficult environments.


1. Creating Safe Spaces for Emotional Expression

In crisis situations, many people find it difficult to express their feelings, fearing that their emotions may be seen as a sign of weakness or may worsen their trauma. One of the core pillars of MHR’s work is establishing safe spaces—environments where individuals, particularly children and adolescents, can openly share their feelings without judgment.


Safe spaces, often set up within refugee camps or temporary shelters, provide opportunities for trauma survivors to engage in group discussions, art therapy, or play therapy. These activities not only promote emotional expression but also foster a sense of community and mutual support among those who are suffering.


MHR’s Approach:


  • Children's corners: Special areas where children can play, create art, and process their emotions with trained facilitators.

  • Support groups: Peer-led or therapist-led sessions where individuals can share their stories, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of connection.


2. Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Immediate Relief

When crises hit, individuals are often overwhelmed by feelings of fear, helplessness, and shock. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-based approach used by MHR to provide immediate support to those in distress. Unlike traditional therapy, PFA is not about diagnosing mental health conditions—it’s about offering compassionate care, ensuring safety, and helping people regain a sense of control.


In humanitarian settings, PFA is often the first point of contact between aid workers and trauma survivors. It is designed to provide practical, emotional, and psychological support within the first few hours or days after a crisis event.


Key Components of PFA:


  • Listening: Allowing individuals to share their experiences without pressuring them to talk.

  • Comforting: Offering a calm presence, providing basic needs such as water or blankets.

  • Practical Support: Helping individuals reconnect with their loved ones, access medical care, or locate shelter.


3. Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

At MHR, we believe that mental health support should not be limited to individual counseling but extended to the community as a whole. Community-based MHPSS programs are designed to build the psychological resilience of entire communities affected by crises. These programs integrate mental health care into broader humanitarian aid efforts, ensuring that mental well-being is considered alongside food, water, and shelter.


In displaced populations, feelings of isolation and disconnection can exacerbate stress and trauma. By mobilizing community leaders, local volunteers, and trained counselors, MHR works to build systems of support that strengthen the collective well-being of the community.


MHR’s Community-Based Initiatives:


  • Training local mental health advocates: Empowering community members to provide basic psychosocial support.

  • Recreational and cultural activities: Organizing community events that help restore normalcy and cultural identity in the aftermath of crises.


4. Tailored Support for Children and Adolescents


Children and adolescents are among the most vulnerable in humanitarian emergencies. For them, the psychological impact of violence, displacement, and loss can be particularly devastating. Mental Health Rescuers has developed specialized interventions to address the unique needs of young people during times of crisis.


Our child-focused programs use age-appropriate methods, including play therapy, storytelling, and creative expression, to help children process their trauma. We also emphasize working closely with parents and caregivers to strengthen the family unit, which is essential for providing emotional security and stability to children.


MHR’s Child-Centered Programs:


  • Healing through play: Creating safe environments where children can express their feelings through games, drawing, and storytelling.

  • Parental support: Offering parents training in psychological first aid and stress management to ensure they can support their children effectively.


5. Incorporating Trauma-Informed Care


Trauma-informed care is at the heart of everything we do at MHR. In humanitarian settings, it is crucial to recognize the pervasive impact of trauma on individuals and ensure that every interaction, service, or intervention is sensitive to their past experiences. This approach not only helps avoid re-traumatization but also empowers individuals on their journey toward recovery.


Trauma-informed care focuses on:


  • Safety: Ensuring that the environment feels physically and emotionally safe for all.

  • Empowerment: Encouraging individuals to take control of their own healing process, respecting their autonomy and choices.

  • Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing the cultural context and tailoring interventions to respect local traditions and norms.


6. Strengthening Resilience and Coping Skills


In addition to addressing the immediate effects of trauma, MHR’s work emphasizes building long-term resilience. Teaching individuals practical coping skills can help them manage stress, regain a sense of control, and prepare for future challenges. Resilience training often includes psychoeducation about the normal psychological reactions to trauma, stress management techniques, and ways to rebuild social connections.


For refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), who often face prolonged uncertainty, learning to cope with ongoing stress is essential. MHR facilitates workshops that focus on emotional regulation, self-care, and positive thinking, enabling individuals to adapt more effectively to their new circumstances.


MHR’s Resilience Strategies:


  • Coping skills training: Practical workshops on stress management, mindfulness, and grounding techniques.

  • Psychoeducation: Helping individuals understand how trauma affects the mind and body, and providing strategies to mitigate its impact.


Conclusion

At Mental Health Rescuers, we understand that in times of crisis, mental health is as important as physical health. Whether through psychological first aid, community-based support, or trauma-informed care, our mission is to ensure that those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the mental health services they need. By addressing both the emotional and psychological needs of individuals and communities, we help them not only survive but also begin to heal and rebuild their lives with strength and resilience.


For more information about our humanitarian mental health initiatives or to learn how you can support our work, visit our website or contact us directly.

Paprotna 12A, 51-117

Wroclaw Poland

​

​685 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017, United States

contact@mhrwellbeing.org

+48 732 104 743

+1 646 980 4205

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