16 October 2024, Doha, Qatar – Mental health is crucial for individuals, communities and nations to achieve their full potential.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region is home to 40% of the world’s population in need of humanitarian assistance and hosts 55% of the world’s refugees. Over the past 7 decades, many of the Region’s countries and territories have experienced wars, civil strife, natural disasters and economic turmoil that have had major impacts on the health and well-being of their populations.

Most individuals affected by emergencies experience distress, manifesting as anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and more. While many will see improvements over time, a significant portion — more than 1 in 5 — are likely to develop mental health conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders, and 1 in 11 will experience mental disorders severe enough to impair their ability to function in crisis environments.

In the context of its ongoing efforts to improve mental health and psychosocial well-being, especially in emergency settings, WHO has developed practical guides and tools to promote and protect mental health and provide for individuals and communities in need.

A Regional action plan aimed at improving mental health and psychosocial well-being and reduce the suffering of populations across all phases of emergencies has been developed in close consultation with Member States and partners. The objectives of the regional action plan are to:

integrate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in national policies, plans and frameworks, with adequate and sustainable financing;

strengthen health and social care systems to deliver MHPSS services across the continuum of care;

strengthen the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders;

empower and engage communities with lived experiences; and

strengthen monitoring and evaluation to guide MHPSS programme development and implementation.

Building on the experience, evidence and good practices accumulated across the countries of our Region and beyond, the Regional action plan proposes ambitious targets to meet these goals.

The 71st session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean is invited to endorse the regional action plan for MHPSS in emergencies to fulfill our joint commitment towards health without borders.

There is no health without mental health.