An integrated approach to mental health and disaster preparedness
A cluster comparison with earthquake affected communities in Nepal
Abstract
On 25th April 2015, Nepal experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by countless aftershocks. Nearly 9000 people were killed and over 600,000 homes destroyed. Given the high frequency of earthquake and other natural hazards in Nepal, disaster preparedness is crucial. However, evidence suggests that some people exposed to prior disasters do not engage in risk reduction, even when they receive training and have adequate resources. Mental health symptoms, including those associated with prior disaster exposure, may influence engagement in preparedness. Perceived preparedness for future disasters may in turn influence mental health. Social cohesion may influence both mental health and preparedness.
We developed and tested a hybrid mental health and disaster preparedness intervention in two earthquake-affected communities in Nepal (N = 240), about 2.5 months after the April 25th, 2015 earthquake. The 3-day intervention was culturally adapted, facilitated by trained Nepalese clinicians and focused on enhancing disaster preparedness, mental health, and community cohesion
This research was supported by the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme
Citation
Welton-Mitchell, C., James, L. E., Khanal, S. N., & James, A. S. (2018). An integrated approach to mental health and disaster preparedness: a cluster comparison with earthquake affected communities in Nepal. BMC psychiatry, 18(1), 296. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1863-z