People Especially in Need of Psychological Support after Emergencies

“A Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies” published by the WHO in 2020 states that even in the case of a nuclear disaster, many people show resilience, meaning they are able to cope relatively well in adverse situations, and not everyone has significant psychological problems or develops depression, anxiety disorders or PTSD. However, it also calls for attention to the fact that risks for psychosocial problems may increase among specific groups of people depending on the circumstances of an emergency.

This framework points out, as responses to people particularly at risk, the significance of providing psychological care covering affected people as a whole and at the same time formulating good programs suited to individual groups, based on the understanding that those with higher risks also have resilience.

• Included in this reference material on March 31, 2022