United Nations and other international humanitarian agencies have agreed on a new set of guidelines, which will address issue of mental health and psychosocial needs of survivors of emergencies such as conflicts or disasters, The Press Trust of India reported. The guidelines clearly focus on social intervention and support and include identifying useful practices and flagging potentially harmful ones. They emphasize on the importance of building on local resources such as teachers, health workers, healers, and women's groups to promote psychosocial well-being. Published by Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), 'Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings', include ways to protect and care for people with severe trauma-induced mental disorders and provide psychological first aid for those in acute distress. "The new guidelines present a major step forward to much better protect the mental health and psychosocial well-being of displaced persons using an integrated approach in collaboration with all partners," UN High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR), Deputy Director for International Protection Services Ruvendrini Menikdiwela said.
