Model UN Background Guide

Committee: World Health Organization (WHO)

Topic: Mental Health in Emergencies

Conference Year: 2026

1. Topic Background

Mental health in emergencies has increasingly become a critical global health concern. Emergencies—ranging from natural disasters and armed conflicts to pandemics and displacement crises—exacerbate existing mental health conditions and create new psychological distress among affected populations. Historically, mental health was often sidelined in emergency responses, with priority given to physical health and immediate survival needs. However, over the past two decades, evidence has underscored the profound and long-lasting impact of emergencies on mental well-being, prompting a shift in global health priorities.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically highlighted the mental health toll of prolonged crises, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on diverse populations. Simultaneously, ongoing conflicts in regions such as Syria, Yemen, and the Sahel have produced millions of displaced persons facing severe mental health challenges with limited access to care. Natural disasters exacerbated by climate change—such as cyclones, floods, and wildfires—have also intensified psychological trauma, particularly in vulnerable communities.

The WHO and other health actors recognize that mental health is integral to overall health and resilience in emergencies. Yet, mental health services remain underfunded and insufficiently integrated into emergency preparedness and response frameworks. This gap in care contributes to prolonged suffering, impaired recovery, and increased social instability. The inclusion of mental health in the WHO’s 2026 agenda reflects growing urgency to mainstream mental health interventions in emergency settings, improve coordination among stakeholders, and mobilize sustainable funding and capacity-building.

2. Key Actors

States:

• High-income countries (HICs): Countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and Japan often provide technical expertise, funding, and research on mental health interventions in emergencies. They also host advanced mental health care systems that serve as models.
• Conflict-affected and disaster-prone states: Nations like Syria, Yemen, Haiti, the Philippines, and Bangladesh are frontline actors with direct experience managing mental health crises amid emergencies. Their perspectives emphasize urgent humanitarian assistance and rebuilding health infrastructure.
• Emerging economies: India, Brazil, and South Africa are increasingly influential in shaping global health policy and are investing in integrating mental health into their own emergency response systems.

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs):

• World Health Organization (WHO): The lead UN agency coordinating global health responses, including mental health strategies in emergencies. WHO develops guidelines, technical support, and capacity-building initiatives.
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Facilitates coordination among humanitarian actors and ensures mental health is integrated into broader emergency response plans.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Addresses mental health needs of displaced populations and refugees in protracted emergencies.
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): Implements community-based mental health and psychosocial support programs in emergencies worldwide.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society:

• Organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), International Medical Corps, and the Mental Health Innovation Network play crucial roles in delivering frontline mental health services and advocating for increased attention and funding.

3. Bloc Positions

1. Western Bloc (North America, Western Europe, Australia, Japan):
This group generally advocates for increased funding for mental health in emergencies, emphasizing evidence-based interventions, integration of mental health into primary health care, and innovation in digital mental health tools. They often push for accountability and data-driven approaches, supporting WHO leadership in setting global standards.

2. Conflict-Affected and Disaster-Prone States (Middle East, parts of Africa, South Asia, Small Island Developing States):
Countries in this bloc prioritize immediate humanitarian assistance and rebuilding mental health infrastructure destroyed or weakened by crises. They stress the need for flexible funding mechanisms and international solidarity. Many call for culturally sensitive approaches and capacity-building of local health workers.

3. Emerging Economies and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa):
This bloc focuses on scalable, cost-effective mental health solutions integrated into broader health systems and emergency preparedness plans. They advocate for South-South cooperation and emphasize the importance of addressing social determinants of mental health, such as poverty and displacement.

4. Low-Income and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Africa and parts of Asia:
Often constrained by limited resources, these countries emphasize the need for increased international aid and technical assistance. They highlight challenges such as stigma around mental health, lack of trained professionals, and the importance of community-based psychosocial support.

4. Past UN Action

• Resolution WHA65.4 (2012): Mental health action plan endorsing integration of mental health into emergency and humanitarian settings.
• Resolution WHA70.9 (2017): Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2020, emphasizing mental health promotion in emergencies.
• UN General Assembly Resolution 73/1 (2018): Declaration on universal health coverage including mental health services in crisis contexts.
• WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP): Launched to scale up services in low-resource settings, including emergencies.
• The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings: A key operational framework endorsed by UN humanitarian actors.

5. Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can WHO and member states strengthen the integration of mental health services into emergency preparedness and response frameworks at national and local levels?
2. What mechanisms can be established to ensure sustainable funding and resource allocation for mental health programs in emergencies?
3. How can mental health interventions be adapted to respect cultural contexts and reduce stigma in affected populations?
4. What role should digital and tele-mental health services play in expanding access during emergencies, particularly in remote or conflict zones?
5. How can international cooperation, including South-South collaboration, be enhanced to build capacity and share best practices?
6. What strategies can be implemented to improve data collection and monitoring of mental health outcomes in emergency settings?
7. How can mental health and psychosocial support be coordinated effectively among UN agencies, NGOs, and local actors to avoid duplication and maximize impact?

6. Further Reading

UN Documents:
Official WHO reports and resolutions on mental health, including the Mental Health Action Plans and IASC Guidelines, provide authoritative frameworks and policy commitments. These documents offer insight into the mandates, priorities, and technical standards endorsed by member states.

Think-Tank Reports:
Analyses from global health policy institutes such as the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health, the Centre for Global Development, and the Overseas Development Institute offer in-depth research on financing, implementation challenges, and innovative mental health interventions in emergencies.

News Outlets and Journals:
Coverage from reputable international media (e.g., BBC, Al Jazeera) and academic journals (e.g., Global Mental Health, The Lancet Psychiatry) provide case studies, recent developments, and human stories that contextualize the ongoing impact of emergencies on mental health worldwide.

This background guide aims to equip delegates with a comprehensive understanding of mental health challenges in emergencies, the key players, and the policy landscape to enable effective debate and resolution drafting in the WHO committee.