Chronically Ill in an Emergency: Why Mental Health Matters

Chronically Ill in an Emergency: Why Mental Health Matters

Instructors: Bishal Gyawali

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8 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 3 modules in this course

In humanitarian settings, mental ill-health is powerfully inter-connected with other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) with NCD prevention and care might therefore be useful, both to be more effective, and to require fewer resources. There is, however, a lack of widely accepted guidelines that take this into account, and this course is intended to draw attention to that issue.

Attention to NCDs focused initially on four major disease categories (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer) and four groups of associated risk factors (unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol). Recently, mental ill-health has been considered as the fifth NCD and environmental determinant as the fifth risk factor for NCDs – known as ‘5-by-5’ conditions. The course has a threefold aim: i) to explore evidence of interaction between mental ill-health and other NCDs and the role of psychosocial support in humanitarian response; ii) to explore what is being done and where; what level the determinants of health are being addressed at and the integration of mental health and psychosocial support or MHPSS and NCD prevention and care in humanitarian response; and iii) to identify and explore challenges, opportunities and lessons learned for integrating MHPSS and NCD prevention and care in humanitarian response. The MOOC will be led by a course leader from the University of Copenhagen in close collaboration with academic teachers, the Danish Red Cross and IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, Copenhagen, Denmark.

This module will provide you with an overview of MHPSS and NCD prevention and care in humanitarian response. We will start by discussing the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health and the burden and risk factors associated with mental ill-health and other NCDs globally and in humanitarian settings. Then we will discuss the shift from the 4x4 approach (four major NCDs plus four modifiable risk factors) to the 5x5 approach (including mental ill-health and environmental risk factors). Consequently, we will explore factors that worsen mental ill-health in humanitarian responses as well as the role of psychosocial support in improving mental health and well-being. Finally, we will discuss the nature and role of agency in recovery from mental ill-health and other NCDs.

What's included

6 videos7 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 55 minutes

Welcome to the Course2 minutesPreview module
1.1 An Overview of Mental Ill-Health and Other NCDs6 minutes
1.1a Importance of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)14 minutes
1.1b Improving Mental Health of Refugees Through Guided Self-Help7 minutes
1.2 Pathways Between Mental Ill-Health and Other NCDs8 minutes
1.3 Agency in Recovery from Mental Ill-Health and other NCDs15 minutes

7 readingsTotal 92 minutes

1.1 and 1.1a Mandatory Reading and Resources 45 minutes
Guided Self-help Intervention Reduces Refugees' Psychological Distress5 minutes
Optional Reading and Resources0 minutes
Integrating Mental Health with Other NCDs7 minutes
Integrating Mental Health in Care for NCDs: An Imperative for Person-Centered Care10 minutes
Non-Communicable Diseases in Humanitarian Settings20 minutes
Food Aid and Dependency Syndrome in Ethiopia: Local Perceptions5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 27 minutes

1.1 Quiz12 minutes
1.1a Quiz6 minutes
1.2 Quiz6 minutes
1.3 Quiz3 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 25 minutes

Why integrate MHPSS and NCD prevention, and how to maintain agency25 minutes

In this module, we will focus on exploring what is being done and at what level to address comorbidity of mental ill-health and other NCDs in in primary health care in humanitarian settings. We will also seek the answer to what is the role of policy measures and community-based programmes to promote mental and physical well-being as well as ensuring continued access to care. Finally, yet importantly, we will discuss various approaches for integrating MHPSS and NCD prevention and care in humanitarian response, including a case from Kenya.

What's included

4 videos4 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 50 minutes

2.1 Guidelines Integrating MHPSS and NCD Prevention and Care in Humanitarian Response14 minutesPreview module
2.2 Integrating MHPSS within NCD Prevention and Care after Natural Disasters9 minutes
2.3 MHPSS and NCD Prevention and Care in Dadaad Refugee Camp10 minutes
2.3a An Approach to Integrating MHPSS within NCD Prevention and Care: Kenya15 minutes

4 readingsTotal 62 minutes

Addressing MHPSS and NCDs in Urban Jordan15 minutes
2.1 Optional Reading and Resources0 minutes
Management of Chronic NCDs Diseases after Natural Disasters in the Carribbean12 minutes
Non Communicable Diseases Kit35 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 15 minutes

2.1 Quiz6 minutes
2.2 Quiz9 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 45 minutes

Your advise to patients20 minutes
Plan an activity that integrates MHPSS and NCD prevention and care25 minutes

Diverse challenges posed by humanitarian response include varied demographics of the populations affected, the range of mental ill-health and other NCDs, and ethical dilemmas regarding prioritization of MHPSS and NCD prevention and care. In this module, we will discuss these challenges, as well as the opportunities and lessons learned for delivering MHPSS and NCD prevention and care in humanitarian response. We will also look at the impact of COVID-19 to keep MHPSS and NCD prevention and care.

What's included

4 videos8 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 33 minutes

3.1 Lessons Learned - and Difficulties in Implementation5 minutesPreview module
3.2 Ethical Dilemmas Regarding Prioritisation of MHPSS and NCDs Prevention and Care13 minutes
3.3 Emerging Mental Health Issues During the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Nepalese Perspective5 minutes
3.3a MHPSS Considerations During the COVID-19 Pandemic- A Case from Nepal9 minutes

8 readingsTotal 102 minutes

Social Suffering Among Syrian Refugees at an NCD Clinic in Jordan25 minutes
Barriers to, and Facilitators of Implementing and Receiving MHPSS programmes20 minutes
3.1 Optional Reading and Resources0 minutes
Bio-ethical Considerations for Public Health in Humanitarian Action35 minutes
Cancer in Refugees in Jordan and Syria etween 2009 and 201210 minutes
COVID-19 and Mental Health: A Review of the Existing Literature7 minutes
Addressing Mental Health Needs: An Integral Part of COVID‐19 Response5 minutes
3.3 Optional Reading and Resources0 minutes