| FIELD REPORT |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 20
| Issue : 1 | Page : 114-118 |
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Integration of Mental Health into Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning for the Monsoon Season in Bangladesh
Mohamed Elshazly1, Olga Rebolledo2, Simon Rosenbaum3
1 MD, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Consultant, Egypt
2 MSc, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programme Manager, International Organization of Migration, Colombia
3 PhD, Scienta Associate Professor, School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Correspondence Address:
Mohamed Elshazly
Mental Health and Psychosocial Consultant (independent)
Egypt
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/intv.intv_38_21
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The monsoon season in Bangladesh is an example of how climate-related events can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing of affected individuals and communities. In this field report, we reflect on the integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services into emergency preparedness efforts. The report aims to offer an understanding of the risk associated with the monsoon season on both refugees and host communities and how likely this risk could affect mental health and mental health services. The MHPSS working group in Cox's Bazar identified four major areas resulting from the impact of the monsoon season: increased incidence of mental health and psychosocial problems, relocation of individuals and families from high-risk areas to safer locations, disrupted provision of mental health and psychosocial services, and lack of self-care knowledge and practice for the humanitarian staff. To mitigate these impacts, an emergency preparedness and response plan was developed and included a wide range of activities aiming to better coordinate and scale up mental health services during the monsoon season.
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