Mental health aspects of the impact of disaster and emergency situations

To mark World Mental Health Day, this event will address the profound impact disasters and emergency situations can have on mental health, affecting individuals and communities and leading to long-term complications. The sudden disruption, loss, and uncertainty caused by such events often trigger stress, anxiety, and fear. Survivors may experience grief, trauma, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while first responders and healthcare workers can face burnout and compassion fatigue, as well as concerns for their own safety. Access to mental health support is often limited during crises, making resilience-building, community support systems, and timely psychosocial interventions crucial for recovery and overall well-being.

Moderator:

- Robert Moss, Vice President, FIP, The Netherlands

Panellists:

- Luna El Bizri, Founder and manager, Lunapharm pharmacy, Lebanon

- Vijay Suppiah, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy, University of South Australia, Australia - Kay Dunkley, Executive Officer, Pharmacists' Support Service, Australia

- Salah Kandil Shubair, Deputy CEO, Tawreed, Jordan