Introduction
This manual is adapted from the Mental Health and Psychosocial (MHPSS) Manual developed by IsraAid and Vanuatu Ministry of Health. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, Vanuatu was struck by a category five (5) Tropical Cyclone (TC) Harold on the 6th of April 2020. Severe damages were experienced by the northern provinces of SANMA, MALAMPA and PENAMA. Vanuatu is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. In the past 5 years, Vanuatu has experienced some significant natural disasters including cyclones and volcanic eruptions and ash-falls. These major disruptions to livelihood brought on by disasters and emergencies are likely to negatively impact the mental health of survivors. Psychosocial challenges affect one’s ability to accomplish daily tasks, reaching across all sectors from livelihood, education, physical health, and relationships, to the impact on social and economic development. The instability of the event shatters routine, and can trigger stress, anxiety, fear, loss, grief, and trauma. Therefore, knowledge and skills in MHPSS are necessary for resilience and coping as people recover and rebuild their communities and lives. These guidelines are developed as a training resource for health workers and service providers to equip them with practical tools and knowledge on MHPSS. It provides skills and techniques, as well as a guide for planning and executing community projects, which will strengthen MHPSS community response and support infrastructure during crises. This training does not make you an expert Mental Health, but does give you basic tools to raise awareness in your community about psycho-social support, as well as tools for offering an initial response to a person experiencing psychological distress.
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