World Mental Health Day 2025

By Dr. Mona Nongmeikapam,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Psychiatry,
Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal

The theme this year seems to have been specially designed keeping our little state in mind. In the heart of a civil war for 3 years now, devastating floods not less than twice a year, Presidential Rule for 8 months and counting, economic and social crises; we do fulfil Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies to a T. The official theme for World Mental Health Day in 2025 is “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”. This theme by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) aims to highlight the importance of providing mental health support during crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics.

The highlights are:

1. Crisis Support: to strengthen mental health support for affected communities and colleagues in crisis situations.
2. Accessibility: making mental health services accessible to everyone, especially in times of emergency.
3. Global Coordination for better mental health during emergencies.

 Mental health and psychosocial support are essential

Ever visited a relief camp? It is impossible to have a single conversation completely dry eyed. The sheer unfairness of it all! One day we are all going about our lives, life as we know it, some things going well, so many chores still pending; many goals, oh….so many aspirations. And then you become “displaced”. One convenient little word, but doesn’t really cover the impact or the implications that come with it. I recall meeting one inmate, wearing very humble clothing but not less than 2 rings on each finger and an uncomfortable amount of jewellery on her person. But can we really blame her? That’s all she has left to show of the lifetime that has been wiped out clean.  During crises, nearly everyone experiences distress and social disruption. Homes are lost, families are separated, and communities are fractured. While one in five people may have a mental health condition, nearly everyone affected experiences emotional distress and disrupted community ties. These impacts often remain long after physical safety is restored, undermining recovery and resilience. People with significant mental health conditions must not be left without care and support. Continuity of care is a priority during and following any emergency.

Migrants and refugees face mental health risks across their journey

Migrants and refugees face multiple stressors throughout their journey – from conflict and displacement to dangerous journeys and integration challenges in host countries. By the end of 2024, over 123 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide. A staggering 71% of them are hosted in low- and middle-income countries, where health-care systems are already under strain. In these settings, access to mental health services is extremely limited. Let us review the situation closer home. As of late 2024 and mid-2025, estimates suggest over 60,000 to 70,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to the ethnic violence that began in May 2023 in Manipur. From lives lost in the crisis, family forcibly torn apart, homes and every bit of their belongings burnt to ashes, losing their daily means of living, people being forcibly made to flee their places of employment, with no access whatsoever, it is a matter of whose loss is more. Or whose hurt is more gruesome or trivial.

Calamities or wars never strike with a warning or a forecast. And hence the massive casualties each time.

Why this theme matters:

The theme stresses the need to increase year-round efforts to:

• Increase awareness and preparation regarding the need for mental health services during emergencies and catastrophes to enable people to heal and prevent long term mental health issues.
• Protect the rights of people with severe mental health conditions, especially those that experience any natural or man-made emergency or catastrophic disaster.
• Encourage the implementation of strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with being a consumer of mental health and substance abuse services.
• Promote the adoption of policies and funding needed to implement Mental Health interventions in all emergency situations and preparedness plans.
• Establish networks between mental health specialists, general health care providers, community support personnel and other relevant service workers to prepare for such emergency situations and keep the continuity of care for those experiencing trauma.
• Educate others on the essential needs of the mental health rescue workers by providing them with proper training, effective coping mechanisms, and a safe environment to recharge and maintain selfcare so that they may continue to serve as front line caregivers in times of catastrophes and emergencies.
• And most importantly, as was blatantly obvious during our current crisis, there is a dire need to streamline the efforts with proper coordination and documentation between the various stakeholders so that the scarce valuable resources can be utilised efficiently, duplication of efforts avoided and cost-cutting ensured and valuable precious lives could be saved.

World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health. This year’s campaign focuses on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies. Supporting the mental well-being of individuals during such crises is not just important – it saves lives, gives people the strength to cope, the space to heal and to recover and rebuild not only as individuals but as communities. That’s why it is essential for everyone, including government officials, health and social care providers, school staff and community groups to come together. By working hand in hand, we can ensure the most vulnerable have access to the support they need while protecting the well-being of everyone.  By investing in evidence and community-based interventions, we can address immediate mental health needs, foster long-term recovery, and empower people and communities to rebuild their lives and thrive. Beyond food, water, and medicine, survivors also need mental health and psychosocial support to cope, recover, and rebuild.

Integrating mental health strengthens emergency response

Making mental health and psychosocial support a core part of emergency response not only saves lives but also strengthens communities and health systems for the future.

Investing in mental health is investing in recovery

Investing in mental health and psychosocial support helps families, communities, and economies recover from crises, build long-term resilience, and shape stronger health systems.

Inclusive mental health care leads to stronger communities

Inclusive support must reach children, older people, persons with disabilities, refugees, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions, including those in institutions. Addressing barriers such as stigma, discrimination, costs, and language is essential.

Mental health care is Health care and saves valuable, precious lives.
Protecting one’s mental health: by staying connected, being physically active, and following routines. Minimize alcohol use, engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities, and seeking  support when in need from trusted friends, family, or health professionals.

Promoting mental well-being through various approaches: ensuring accessible, efficient, and responsive support for one and all.

Protecting the well-being of humanitarian workers: the very basis of mental health care and healing is establishing of rapport and trust. Mental health support cannot take place under coercion or without mutual respect. Organizations should provide rest, supervision, peer support, and workplace mental health programmes to sustain an effective humanitarian response. It was to be understood that healing can never happen under threat and violence.

Access To Services: Mental Health movement is gaining momentum and camps, outreach programmes, awareness campaigns and the government, NGOs, local bodies, institutions and various organisations are taking initiative and working hard to catch up. The challenge remains the sheer volume and magnitude of the problem against the miniscule efforts.

WHO stresses for “a major rethink” of Mental health support in emergencies by professionals and officials alike. The effects of emergencies and catastrophes are varied and multifaceted. It also highlights that these affected areas are the places where mental health disorders can occur more frequently, that many of these affected people need professional mental health support, and that the necessary support must reach them. It also asks political leaders, social leaders and chairpersons at national and international level for substantial support for these people, so that humans have the best possible access to the necessary professional help. The need for advance planning for all types of crises and implementation in advance in the areas of education, further training and MH knowledge and competences is stressed. Constant exposure to trauma, coupled with the pressure of providing help under extreme and challenging conditions, can place an immense burden on mental well-being of all the professionals. The World Mental Health Federation (WFMH) therefore calls for special attention and protection for these employees.

Disturbing Statistics:

1. Almost all people affected by emergencies experience psychological distress, which typically improves over time.
2. One in five people (22%) who have experienced war or conflict in the previous 10 years has depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
3. Emergencies significantly disrupt mental health services and reduce the availability of quality care.
4. Every year, millions of people are affected by emergencies such as armed conflicts and natural disasters. These crises disrupt families, livelihoods and essential services, and significantly impact mental health.
5. Nearly all those affected experience psychological distress. A minority go on to develop mental health conditions such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
6. Emergencies can worsen mental health conditions and social issues such as poverty and discrimination. They can also contribute to new problems, such as family separation and harmful substance use, tendency for violence, mob mentality, destruction and overall, social and economic downfall of the affected regions.

Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Emotional Distress

Most stress symptoms are temporary and will resolve on their own. For some people, particularly at-risk populations, these symptoms may last for weeks or even months and may influence their relationships with families and friends. Symptoms may include:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Anger, feeling edgy or lashing out at others
• Overwhelming sadness
• Pulling away from people and things
• Lack of energy or always feeling tired
• Lack of interest
• Unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomach-aches or headaches
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs, including prescription medications
• Worrying, guilt
• Self harm behaviour

Recovering Emotionally from Disaster

There are a number of steps one can take up:

• Giving oneself time to adjust: Anticipating that this will be a difficult time and allowing oneself to mourn the losses experienced, being patient with oneself.
• Asking for support: from people who care, who will listen and empathize with the situation.
• Communicating one’s experience: talking with family or friends, keeping a diary, or engaging in a creative activity.
• Finding local support group: knowing one is not alone in one’s plight can be liberating. Support group meetings can be especially helpful for people with limited personal support systems.
• Engaging in healthy behaviours: well-balanced meals, plenty of rest, mindfulness, relaxation techniques. Alcohol and drugs can be a numbing diversion that could detract from as well as delay active coping and moving forward from the disaster. Moreover they come with their own sack full of complications and cognitive challenges, which may aggravate the mental health challenges rather than help.
• Establishing routines: regular meal times, sleeping and waking on a regular cycle, or following an exercise program, pursuing a hobby, or reading a good book. Getting away briefly and experiencing “normalcy” elsewhere can also help reinstate a state of calm.
• Avoiding making major life decisions. Switching careers or jobs and other important decisions tend to be highly stressful in their own right and best avoided when one is recovering from a disaster.
• Seeking professional help: from a licenced Mental Health Professional
• If the feelings are PERSISTENT
• If one’s day-to-day responsibilities and activities are affected.

It is common for people to experience stress in the immediate aftermath, but within a few months most people are able to resume functioning as they did prior to the disaster. It is important to remember that resilience and recovery are the norm, not prolonged distress.

On this World Mental Health Day, let us intensify our efforts to create a world where mental health is valued, protected, and accessible for all, especially in the face of adversity.