Overview

• The World Health Organization set this year’s theme on mental health in humanitarian emergencies, citing evidence that roughly one in five people in conflict or disaster settings experience a mental health condition.
• The UN Secretary-General states mental-health care must be integrated into emergency responses and properly funded as life-saving support.
• Clinicians report that crises disrupt services through damaged facilities, staff shortages and surging demand, leaving women, children, older adults and those with pre-existing conditions at heightened risk.
• India spotlights Tele-MANAS, a 24/7 toll-free counselling service (14416 or 1800-891-4416) launched in 2022, with PGIMER citing about 26 lakh calls nationwide and high regional volumes in Chandigarh and Punjab.
• Experts promote Psychological First Aid and community or tele-mental-health networks to close access gaps, noting India’s low public spending on mental health and psychiatrist shortages in many areas.