Advisory group meeting 2015

We all know crisis and hard times. Mental health disorders will affect one in four of us over a lifetime. (the Lancet mental health group, in the Lancet 2007) In disasters and conflicts numbers will rise. Depression and suicide takes a major toll – in 2014 more than 800.000 died from suicide (WHO) Mental health is underfunded, both in terms of treatment and research. Less than 1 in 50 receive evidence based treatment in low income countries where less than 1% of health budgets is allocated to mental health Psychosocial support and low-intensity mental health interventions can help bridge the gap and combat the stigma As the Red Cross Red Crescent we need to do more and better and reach further, both in terms of health promotion, support and treatment and in our psychosocial programmes we can contribute Integrating mental health in programming and task sharing/shifting can be (cost)effective ways of working (Patel et al)

Sustainable development goals Target 3.4 requests that countries: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” How can we as the Red Cross Movement contribute? And the big question remains how this will be funded. These are some of the questions for today’s discussions.

PS Centre The institutional set-up since 1993 Federation partners National Societies Secretariat Health & Care Regional Offices & regional networks External partners Partner institutions stakeholders IASC Reference Group PS Centre Established in 1993, hosted by the Danish Red Cross, current set-up since 2004 (5-6 full time employees) Liaise with Health and Care in Emergencies in Federation Secretariat The PS Centre has a standing international Roster of Experts, from which individuals are selected to conduct e.g. psychosocial assessments, evaluations and training in other National Societies. A meeting is usually held once a year (in varying locations) for the Roster to share lessons learned, receive training and take part in developing the psychosocial support concept. Steering Committee: A representative of the IFRC, currently the Head of the Health and Care Department, and a representative of the Danish Red Cross, currently the Head of the International Department, together form the Steering Committee of the PS Centre. They meet biannually. The Advisory Board consists of appointed representatives of the partner National Societies. Meetings are held annual. Items for discussion are the interests of the participating societies and their regions, as well as strategies and actions of the PS Centre. The representative receives activity reports and financial status. Psychosocial Roster

Functions in IFRC agreement Advise and guide National Societies Support National Societies in developing their capacity to provide community-based psychosocial support Access external research and make it accessible to National Societies Cooperate with other humanitarian organisations dealing with psychosocial support (e.g. IASC, WHO, Save the Children) in order to exchange materials and experience, and to avoid duplication; Develop, translate and share models, tools and case studies that reflect best practice in community-based psychosocial support Roster: Develop and maintain a database of external consultancy expertise, to be deployed for assessment and training with National Societies.

Snapshot impression of what we did in 2015 Everything is in the annual report that you have in your folder

Global requests 616 requests from 87 different countries in 2015

69,3 of the request originated from within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The requests fall in to seven different categories with the five most frequent types shown in the graph below. “All others” cover requests from academia and requests that do not fall into any of the categories.

Development since last year April – December

Development since last year April – December

Tool-box development

Ebola lessons learned Report on Ebola and PTSD in volunteers and staff In Ebola context findings indicate that IFRC staff are more affected The PS-Centre facilitated a Lessons learned workshop in collaboration with the Ebola Unit and next phase of datacollection and objectives were planned but unfortunately in the end not funded.

Addressing psychological effects of armed conflicts and violence Global meeting in Stockholm Concept paper Side Event at International Conference Fundraising for research network and lessons learned Hand in hand with our tools on SGBV, Young Men, and youth in conflict

Gender and diversity Training on PSS at gender and diversity trainings Joint plans for guidelines Continuous communication Our staff trained in G+D Focus on mental health and gender aspects

Advocacy and collaboration Hosting Interagency Reference Group meeting in Istanbul Accepting invitation to co-chair Reference group with Unicef Joint preparation of proposal for side meeting at world humanitarian summit

Rewieved/contributed to

OPSIC – COMPASS

Dashboard to report of Centre’s activities