international diploma in Operational Humanitarian Assistance (IDOHA)
Mental Health in Complex Emergencies
2 credits
The technical standards of a humanitarian intervention have considerable importance in achieving short-term results, including maximizing survival rates. However, a clear understanding of the psychosocial context in which the intervention is being undertaken is essential if longer-term goals are to be properly set and achieved. Much of the psychosocial training currently being undertaken is based on remedial action to counter psychosocial dysfunction resulting from disaster. There is observational and anecdotal evidence that individuals and communities can show enhanced psychosocial functionality during and following some disasters. If dependency is to be avoided and a smooth, rapid return to independence from humanitarian assistance is to be encouraged, then the factors at work must be clearly understood.
Students are exposed to both the most recent academic thought on these matters as well as the experience of field practitioners. Students are also sensitized to the non-material aspects of humanitarian assistance and achieve an understanding of the importance of clearly planning assistance within its psychosocial context. This module emphasizes the well-being of the beneficiaries as considered in the recent 'IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings' developed by WHO, UN and local and international agencies working in the field of psychosocial assistance. This course is a week-long elective course for the IDOHA module of the MIHA. If interested in pursuing the MIHA, please apply here.
To take this course individually, independent of the Masters, follow this link.
For the dates and the location of our next Mental Health in Complex Emergencies course, please visit our calendar.
Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs
33 West 60th St., Suite 804 New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212 636 6294 Fax: 212 636 7060 Email: iiha@fordham.edu
