Convening experts and listening to experience: how we are taking a compassionate approach to mental health during emergencies

By Vijay Jassal, Director of Policy and Partnerships

In the face of natural disasters, pandemics, or other emergencies, the immediate focus is often on physical safety, relief efforts, and rebuilding. However, it's equally important to recognise and address the often-overlooked aspect of crises—the emotional and psychological impact. As someone who has worked with survivors of previous emergencies through the National Emergencies Trust’s Survivors Advisory Forum, you understand the significance of supporting not only the physical but also the emotional well-being of those who experience traumatic events. In this blog, we'll delve into the profound mental health challenges that can arise after emergencies and our work to address these.

The emotional toll of emergencies can lead to a range of consequences; from immediate trauma, social isolation, financial stress, displacement and uncertainty to more long-term mental health challenges like PTSD. The path to recovery is not a straight line and, often, there is no ”finish line”. Taking a compassionate, holistic and data-led approach to mental health is so important.

Everyone responds to trauma in different ways, and we hope to offer survivors choice so they can access support that suits them, in the time that suits them. During future disasters, we will assess a range of options to support survivors: offering immediate cash grants; working collaboratively with our National Charitable Partners like Mind, Cruse Bereavement Support, and British Red Cross; funding specialist helplines; and funding peer-to-peer support groups. Agility in offering support without delay is vital so that the risk of further trauma is minimised. We aim to ensure that no one is left behind and we’re also working closely with those with lived experience and trusted experts to ensure that we can fund the best possible care, as soon as it is needed.

The complexity and diversity of needs, highlighted by our Bee The Difference research project with young Manchester Arena attack survivors, reinforces the need to be flexible in our funding strategy. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to the emotional impact of emergencies. Traumatic experiences during their formative years can have lifelong effects. The findings showed that 29% of young survivors didn’t receive any professional support since the attack, whilst 22% are still receiving support since the attack happened more than 5 years ago.

As an emergency-response organisation, that offers one trusted place for the public to give, our work can help alleviate some of the immediate and medium-term impacts. With current public resource for mental health services in the UK already stretched, we will also need to work innovatively with other responders including the NHS and public health professionals, charities, and other funders, ensuring that the long-tail and non-linear recovery path for survivors is addressed. This is a huge task beyond any one organisation, and we’ll need to work together, informed by communities themselves and previous survivors.

Acting on the Bee The Difference findings, and with support from our Survivors Advisory Forum, we are busy convening a new panel of expert mental health advisors who can advise us on our strategy and provide invaluable insights when the worst happens. Alongside our Equity Scrutiny Group, the Mental Health Panel – comprised of clinicians, academics and public health leaders - will provide advice to our Trustees so that they can make informed and innovative funding decisions that best support survivors.

While the physical aspects of emergencies are immediate and visible, it's essential not to underestimate the mental health impact these events can have on individuals and communities. By recognising the emotional impact of emergencies and providing the necessary support, we can help individuals and communities not only survive but also thrive in the face of adversity. Together with trusted partners and experts, we can build resilience and ensure that no one's mental health is left behind in times of crisis.