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Conflict and Health
Published in: Conflict and Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Short report

Addressing culture and context in humanitarian response: preparing desk reviews to inform mental health and psychosocial support

Authors: M. Claire Greene, Mark J. D. Jordans, Brandon A. Kohrt, Peter Ventevogel, Laurence J. Kirmayer, Ghayda Hassan, Anna Chiumento, Mark van Ommeren, Wietse A. Tol

Published in: Conflict and Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Delivery of effective mental health and psychosocial support programs requires knowledge of existing health systems and socio-cultural context. To respond rapidly to humanitarian emergencies, international organizations often seek to design programs according to international guidelines and mobilize external human resources to manage and deliver programs. Familiarizing international humanitarian practitioners with local culture and contextualizing programs is essential to minimize risk of harm, maximize benefit, and optimize efficient use of resources. Timely literature reviews on traditional health practices, cultural beliefs and attitudes toward mental health and illness, local health care systems and previous experiences with humanitarian interventions can provide international practitioners with crucial background information to improve their capacity to work efficiently and with maximum benefit. In this paper, we draw on experience implementing desk review guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency (2012) in four diverse humanitarian crises (earthquakes in Haiti and Nepal; forced displacement among Syrians and Congolese). We discuss critical parameters for the design and implementation of desk reviews, and discuss current challenges and future directions to improve mental health care and psychosocial support in humanitarian emergencies.
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Metadata
Title
Addressing culture and context in humanitarian response: preparing desk reviews to inform mental health and psychosocial support
Authors
M. Claire Greene
Mark J. D. Jordans
Brandon A. Kohrt
Peter Ventevogel
Laurence J. Kirmayer
Ghayda Hassan
Anna Chiumento
Mark van Ommeren
Wietse A. Tol
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Conflict and Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1505
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-017-0123-z

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