Model UN Background Guide

Committee: World Health Organization (WHO)

Topic: Mental Health in Emergencies

Conference Year: 2025

Topic Background

Mental health in emergencies has become an increasingly urgent global concern. Emergencies—ranging from armed conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics, to large-scale displacement—place immense psychological strain on affected populations. Historically, the focus during emergencies has been on immediate physical health needs, such as trauma care, infectious disease control, and nutrition. However, over the past two decades, evidence has shown that mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse often surge in these contexts, with long-lasting effects on individuals and communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated mental health vulnerabilities worldwide, especially in emergency settings where healthcare infrastructure was already fragile. Additionally, protracted conflicts in regions like Syria, Yemen, and the Sahel have highlighted the chronic nature of mental health crises in emergencies. Displacement and refugee populations face compounded risks due to loss of community, exposure to violence, and uncertainty about the future.

The WHO has recognized the importance of integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into emergency preparedness and response. This topic is on the 2025 agenda because the global community is at a crossroads: despite growing awareness, mental health services remain underfunded and fragmented in emergency responses. The need to strengthen international coordination, improve access to care, and build resilient health systems that prioritize mental health has never been more pressing.

Key Actors

• States:

  • High-income countries (HICs) such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan often provide technical and financial support for mental health initiatives in emergencies. They also contribute to research and policy development.
  • Middle-income countries (MICs) like Brazil, South Africa, and India face dual roles: managing mental health needs domestically during emergencies and supporting regional responses.
  • Low-income countries (LICs) in conflict-prone or disaster-prone regions (e.g., South Sudan, Haiti, Afghanistan) are often the most affected and advocate for increased international assistance and capacity building.

• International Organizations:

  • World Health Organization (WHO) leads global policy guidance, technical standards, and capacity-building efforts on mental health in emergencies.
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) focuses on mental health support for displaced populations.
  • United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) coordinates emergency responses, including mental health components.
  • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides psychosocial support in conflict zones.
  • World Bank and regional development banks contribute funding and incorporate mental health into broader health system strengthening projects.

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):

  • Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), International Medical Corps, and local NGOs play critical roles in delivering MHPSS services on the ground.

Bloc Positions

• Western Bloc (e.g., United States, Canada, EU countries, Australia):
  Typically advocate for integrating mental health into broader emergency health responses, emphasizing evidence-based interventions and the use of digital technologies. They support increased funding for mental health and psychosocial support and promote human rights-based approaches. They often push for accountability and monitoring mechanisms in humanitarian operations.

• Global South Bloc (e.g., African Union member states, South Asian countries, Latin American countries):
  Emphasize the importance of capacity building and sustainable health system strengthening. They often call for increased international financial support and technology transfer. Many stress the need to adapt interventions to local cultural contexts and community-based approaches. Some may highlight the challenges of stigma and limited mental health workforce.

• Conflict-Affected States and Fragile Contexts (e.g., Syria, Yemen, South Sudan):
  Focus on the urgent need for immediate mental health services alongside protection and security concerns. They often underline the psychological impact of displacement, violence, and protracted crises. These states may advocate for greater international humanitarian assistance and flexible funding mechanisms.

• Middle Eastern and Gulf States (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar):
  Often emphasize regional cooperation and the role of religious and community leaders in mental health support. They may also promote innovative funding mechanisms like public-private partnerships and stress the importance of mental health in post-conflict reconstruction.

Past UN Action

• World Health Assembly Resolutions:

  • WHA 65.4 (2012) on mental health action plan, which includes mental health in emergencies.
  • WHA 70.9 (2017) on the comprehensive mental health action plan 2013-2020, emphasizing integration into primary care and emergency response.

• UN General Assembly Resolutions:

  • A/RES/70/262 (2016) on strengthening emergency preparedness and response, which references mental health as a critical component.

• UN Secretary-General Reports:

  • Various reports on the humanitarian situation in conflict zones (e.g., Syria, Yemen) have highlighted mental health challenges and called for increased MHPSS integration.

• WHO Publications:

  • The WHO’s “Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies” guidelines (2013) remain a foundational technical document.
  • The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (2007, updated 2023) provide internationally recognized standards.

Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can WHO member states strengthen the integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into emergency preparedness and response frameworks at national and international levels?
2. What mechanisms can be established to ensure sustainable funding and resource allocation for mental health services in emergency and humanitarian contexts?
3. How can international cooperation be enhanced to build capacity in low- and middle-income countries for delivering culturally appropriate MHPSS interventions?
4. What role should community-based and non-specialist providers play in scaling up mental health services during emergencies?
5. How can mental health considerations be mainstreamed into broader humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts?
6. What monitoring, evaluation, and accountability frameworks should be developed to assess the effectiveness of mental health interventions in emergencies?
7. How can stigma and discrimination related to mental health be addressed in emergency settings to improve access to care and social inclusion?

Further Reading

• UN Documents:
  Official WHO reports and resolutions on mental health in emergencies, including World Health Assembly documents, IASC guidelines, and UN Secretary-General reports on humanitarian crises. These provide authoritative policy frameworks and data.

• Think-Tank Reports:
  Publications from global health think tanks and research institutions such as the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health, the Center for Global Development, and the Overseas Development Institute. These offer in-depth analyses of policy effectiveness, financing models, and innovative intervention strategies.

• News Outlets and Media Coverage:
  Reputable international news sources (e.g., BBC, Al Jazeera, Reuters) and specialized health journalism platforms that report on recent emergencies, highlighting mental health challenges and responses in real time. These provide context on emerging crises and public perceptions.

This guide aims to equip delegates with the necessary context and tools to engage meaningfully in WHO debates on mental health in emergencies, fostering collaborative and innovative solutions to a pressing global health challenge.