Primary care workers are given guidance on managing mental health in humanitarian crises

Non-specialist health workers have been given new guidance to help identify and manage the mental health needs of populations during disasters and conflict.

The Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGap) Humanitarian Intervention Guide, released in Geneva on 5 May, has been developed by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.1

In humanitarian emergencies, which often occur in resource poor settings as is the case with the recent earthquake in Nepal and the ongoing conflict in Yemen, existing healthcare systems are weak, with little or no resources for tackling mental health. General medical staff, including primary care doctors and nurses, are …