Key Considerations: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, North Kivu, DRC

Abstract

This brief summarises key mental health and psychosocial support considerations in relation to the response to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu, DRC in August 2018. The brief was last updated on 3 October 2018. The brief is based on a rapid review of existing published and grey literature, existing Interagency Standing Committee Guidance materials, professional ethnographic research in DRC and the experience of previous Ebola outbreaks. It was developed through participatory engagement with in-country practitioners, health officials and local leadership. The development and review of this brief was facilitated by Anthrologica and the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform, together with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the WHO and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. Additional inputs were provided by the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Working Group in Goma, colleagues from Bethesda Counselling Centre, Universite Chretienne Bilingue du Congo, University of Notre Dame, USAID-IMA World Health, Mercy Corps and Environment Management and Systems. The brief was reviewed by IASC Reference Group members.