“The greatest need was to be listened to”

  • October 8, 2020
October 8, 2020

The IFRC and ICRC  joint report about mental health during COVID-19 called “The greatest need was to be listened to: The importance of mental health and psychosocial support during COVID-19” collates seven case studies from IFRC and ICRC mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities around the world – to highlight how Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are treating the hidden wounds of the pandemic among the world’s most vulnerable communities.

It also reiterates the important recommendations laid out in the resolution ‘Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies’, passed at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2019.

The report renews the movement’s call for integrated measures to address mental health and psychosocial needs within humanitarian response, alongside long-term investments in local and community-based mental health and psychosocial support capacity – more important than ever before during COVID-19.