IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support

❕ IMPORTANT READ: Beyond Compliance Symposium: War is not skin deep – International Humanitarian Law and mental health "Just as bombs penetrate deep into the ground, so too do the impacts of war on people, burying below the surface and inflicting damage not always visible. Narratives of the negative impacts of war—particularly those centring ‘civilian harm’—are dominated by physiological harms and often reduced to casualty counting. Nonetheless, life and limb are not all that are threatened in armed conflicts. War’s impacts on mental health and wellbeing are profound and pervasive, yet International Humanitarian Law (IHL) theory and practice has long overlooked them. This blog seeks to bring these harms to the fore so they can receive due recognition by policymakers and humanitarian practitioners and to contextualise the need for greater law and policy protections against mental harm". Timely and relevant blog post by Samantha Holmes Research Associate at the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) and York Law School. 👉 The Armed Groups and International Law blog 🔗 https://shorturl.at/GQT3O Picture by ICRC/Boris Heger

❣️ Squash courts as safe havens: How Sport Coach+ supports coaches working with refugees 👏 Our #SportCoachPlus partner Olympic Refuge Foundation provides an illustrative and powerful example of the potential of sports in supporting the mental well-being of young refugees. "We just want them to be in a good mood and to start to enjoy themselves. Sport is a very helpful tool to help children work through stress. When we practise sport, we forget about the trauma, the sad news and even war for a while", Iulia Durlestean Coach and the logistical coordinator of the Kangaroo Squash & Padel Club in Chișinău, Moldova. Read more below 👇

📣MHPSS Side event: Commitment to impact: mental health and psychosocial support in action At the upcoming 34th International Conference, a side event will highlight the substantial progress made in implementing the MHPSS Resolution and Policy adopted at IC33, showcasing how these commitments have been translated into impactful actions through successful collaborations between RCRC Movement entities, States, and other partners. It will discuss challenges, lessons learned, and spotlight key examples such as the newly created MHPSS International Movement Hub. Please join us! 🕕06:00 – 07:00 PM 👉Venue: Room Geneva (CCV) 👉Language: Arabic, English, French, Spanish – Interpretation available. 👉Speakers: Dr. Gabriel Camero Ramos, Vice President of Colombian Red Cross Miriana Bader, Youth Director for Lebanese Red Cross, IFRC Youth Commission member Louise Steen Kryger, MHPSS Team Lead, Danish Red Cross 👉Moderator: Eliza Cheung, Service in charge MHPSS Hong Kong Red Cross branch, Red Cross Society of China; MHPSS Technical Advisor IFRC PS Centre; Lead, Asia Pacific MHPSS Collaborative Event 🔗 https://zurl.co/UXiy Also remember to visit the MHPSS Booth (no.1) at the Humanitarian Village, Floor -1 from 28th to 31st of October. #RCRC24 #MentalHealthMatters #MHPSS

🌧️ Amidst the Rubble, Finding Strength 🌧️ On the night of 28 September, Ajita K.C. and her family faced an unimaginable reality - two #landslides in a single day buried their home #Kavre, leaving them homeless and heartbroken. The landslides followed intense rainfall that has devasted areas of #Nepal. Ajita recalls, "In the morning of the landslide, I felt that I wished that I could have been buried under the landslide rather than being alive, because I have lost everything, and I have no idea of how to recover everything." Her story is just one of many, as the floods and landslides of late September 2024 devastated entire communities. Beyond the loss of homes, people like Ajita were left grappling with emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future. In these difficult times, the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), with essential support from the #IFRC network including the Danish Red Cross (DRC), has been delivering more than just immediate relief. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) sessions are helping survivors like Ajita with mental care packages. After attending a session, she shared, “Though the loss is unbearable, I’m not alone. Many are suffering and need support.” In times like these, it’s not just about rebuilding homes - it’s about rebuilding lives. The NRCS supported by IFRC network partners including the Danish Red Cross is committed to supporting communities that have been affected by the recent flood and landslides. #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD2024 #MentalHealthMatters #NoHealthWithoutMentalHealth Rikke Friis Karen Lieve Ria Hostens Fabrice Vandeputte Christian Cramon Louise Kryger Camilla Bruun Simonsen Shreyasi Chhetri David Fogden Shubhadra Devkota Advocate Santosh Neupane Ole Kirk's Fond Sofia Malmqvist Azmat Ulla Hong Kong Red Cross Asia Pacific MHPSS Collaborative International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC

📣 Are you a sport coach? Become a Sport Coach+! The project is looking for sport coaches interested in learning more about how to create safe and supportive environments in their daily practice and how to support vulnerable young players, with a focus on those affected by displacement and adversities. "Are you a sport coach, or do you know sport coaches? Do you work with young people in your local community, organizing sport activities and training the next generation of athletes? Sometimes it is challenging to support those who have been through displacement, conflict, and other adversities. Our one-day training is the beginning of a conversation – let’s work together to provide a safe and supportive space for young people to thrive", Anna Tarsetti project Manager, IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support. 👉 For a full overview of the Sport Coach+ approach and a breakdown of the topics that we focus on please visit our website 🔗 https://shorturl.at/XCvif 👉 If you are interested in becoming a Sport Coach+, fill out the contact form on our website or email us at: annat@rodekors.dk 👉 The #SportCoachPlus project is implemented in partnership by the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, the Olympic Refuge Foundation, several Red Cross National Societies and National Olympic Committees across 8 countries.

#MentalHealthMatters that is for sure In a world with too much pain to endure Manmade disasters and emergencies Whether war and displacement or climate crises’ #MHPSS for the people in need In a refugee camp or a bombed-out street A flooded city or a wildfire raging Our staff & volunteers will be there engaging #BeatingHearts behind the red vest Their courage & commitment put to the test Thanks to them all for their contribution Addressing pain, despair and confusion #Heart emojis cannot really express Our concern over their distress    Instead a greeting to staff and volunteers We celebrate your efforts and regret your tears   Warmest IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support

#WorldMentalHealthDay event in Tanzania We received some inspiring pictures from Dr. Godson Kato the #MHPSS focal point in TANZANIA RED CROSS SOCIETY 👉 If you want to learn more about our colleagues in Tanzania visit their organizational website 🔗 https://shorturl.at/OQelE #MentalHealthMatters

Across the globe RCRC staff and volunteers are working to assist the victims of emergencies, disasters and wars. #Floods in Brazil, #Mpox in DR Congo, #Famine in Sudan, #Hurricanes in the US, #Armed conflict and mass displacement in Ukraine and the Middle East to name just a few. #MentalHealthMatters in a volatile world - find here our latest resources on MHPSS in emergencies🔗 https://zurl.co/lan3

📣 Latest newsletter from our hardworking colleagues at the Asia Pacific MHPSS Collaborative Headlines include: ➡️ #PFA Integration to First Aid Training Programs ➡️ #PFA Training to the First Aid Instructors in the Pacific ➡️ Pilot-testing of #PFA module Integration to First Aid Training 👉 Read full newsletter🔗 https://shorturl.at/JtZFn #MentalHealthMatters

Survey: We are transforming – help us do it right! On 1 January 2025 the IFRC Psychosocial Centre becomes the #MHPSS Movement Hub - for the entire Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. We are changing name and revising our communication and we hope you will spend a few minutes to answer some questions about what we should prioritize – both in terms of themes, content, outlets & platforms. Find survey here 🔗: https://zurl.co/nSjW