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on 11/20/24 at 11:29 AM
Emergency preparedness programmes around the world are designed to protect people from the health effects arising from radiological releases. The science behind these programmes is both well known and widely studied. However, as evidenced during the Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi accidents, radiological emergencies also give rise to mental health issues and psychosocial consequences associated with the impact of protective measures and medium to long-term socioeconomic disruptions. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) can therefore be just as important because it restores people’s ability to take care of themselves and of others.
This publication provides a comprehensive guide to integrating MHPSS in radiological protection strategies during a nuclear or radiological (N/R) emergency. It operationalises the World Health Organization’s 2020 framework for MHPSS in such emergencies, covering all phases: preparedness, response, and recovery. The guide is aimed at official managers, decision-makers, and specialists involved in N/R emergency planning, response and recovery (early, intermediate, and long-term), as well as MHPSS specialists in large-scale disasters and all-hazards emergency settings.
It emphasises the importance of understanding the basics of radiation exposure, emergency management, and public health concepts. The guide supports an all-hazards approach and also addresses unique risk factors of N/R emergencies, such as the perception of risks associated with radiation exposures. It includes a summary table of actions and detailed action sheets for various themes, e.g. integrating MHPSS into needs assessments, public communication strategies, services for host communities, clinical referrals, and mental health monitoring.
The guide highlights that, although lessons have been learnt from past N/R emergencies, there is a need for further research on effectively integrating MHPSS into radiological protection decisions.
