The International Conference on Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management will feature a series of tracks that explore the multifaceted nature of disasters and the psychosocial and mental health responses to them. Each track will focus on specific challenges, strategies, and research areas, allowing participants to engage deeply in the critical issues shaping disaster management today.
This track will delve into the psychological and social consequences of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. It will explore how individuals, families, and communities are impacted by such events and the long-term mental health consequences. Man-made disasters, including industrial accidents, chemical spills, and transportation accidents, create unique mental health challenges for survivors. This track will address the psychological fallout from such events and explore effective psychosocial support models. The complex mental health and psychosocial challenges faced by individuals and communities in conflict zones and post-conflict environments. Topics will include the mental health consequences of violence, displacement, and reintegration after conflict.
Key topics: Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, community-based mental health recovery, Psychological resilience, stress management, grief and loss, family and community healing, Mental health of war survivors, gender-based violence, post-conflict healing, and rebuilding community resilience.
Research focus: Evaluating the psychosocial recovery processes following large-scale man-made events, Identifying vulnerable groups and building trauma-informed disaster management strategies.
As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, its psychosocial implications have become more significant. This track will focus on understanding the mental health impacts of climate change-induced natural hazards and disasters and stress, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Key topics: Eco-anxiety, displacement due to environmental degradation, intergenerational trauma, and community coping mechanisms.
Research focus: Assessing climate-induced psychological distress and the development of effective support interventions.
Individuals are exposed to multitude of stressors and life events, ranging from routing hassales to traumatic experiences, in disaster contexts. The nature of stressors also vary from acute to chronic and single to multiple (cumulative), The nature of stressors may involve death of loved one, rape, physical violence, loss of livelihood, change in social status, forced migration, loss of housing, disability, discrimnation etc..Individuals also vary in thier vulnerabilities and coping capacities. Therefore a variety of psychosocial and mental health interventions are suitbale to diverse profiles of individual survivors – who may manifest symptoms of PTSD, depression, phobia, anxiety, complicated grief, substance use disorder, or other behavioral problems. This track will focus on interventions and support mechanisms aimed at addressing the psychosocial needs of such individuals.
Key topics: Trauma focused interventions, crisis interventions, stress management, psychosocial first-aid, CBT, other psychosocial support techniques.
Research focus: Designing culturally appropriate interventions and promoting resilience in individuals exposed to traumatic and stressful experiences in disaster context.
In this track, discussions will center on the role of community-based interventions in building resilience to disasters. It will examine strategies for empowering local communities to provide psychosocial support to disaster survivors.
• Key topics: Peer support networks, community-led recovery, grassroots mental health initiatives, and local capacity building.
• Research focus: Successful community models in disaster response and their impact on mental health recovery.
Disaster response workers often experience secondary trauma, burnout, and mental health challenges. This track will focus on the well-being of humanitarian workers and mental health professionals involved in disaster relief efforts.
• Key topics: Compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, self-care strategies, and organizational support for disaster responders.
• Research focus: Strategies for maintaining the mental health of disaster response teams and creating supportive work environments.
This track will focus on the role of policy and advocacy in integrating mental health and psychosocial support (PSS) into disaster management frameworks. It will explore global and national policies, funding mechanisms, and the importance of mental health in disaster preparedness and response.
• Key topics: Policy development, advocacy for mental health funding, integrating PSS into disaster risk reduction, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Research focus: Examining the role of policymakers in advancing mental health considerations in disaster management strategies.
This track will explore the increasing use of digital tools and technologies in providing psychosocial support during disasters. It will focus on innovations such as mobile applications, telemedicine, and online mental health platforms in disaster settings.
• Key topics: Digital mental health services, teletherapy, online support groups, and virtual crisis intervention.
• Research focus: Assessing the effectiveness and scalability of digital interventions in disaster mental health response.
The International Conference on Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management offers a wide range of specialized tracks designed to cover the diverse challenges and solutions in psychosocial support. Whether you are an academic, practitioner, policymaker, or part of an NGO, these tracks provide a focused platform for in-depth discussion, sharing of expertise, and collaborative learning. Together, these tracks will explore the most pressing issues in disaster management today and pave the way for innovative solutions to support mental health and psychosocial well-being in times of crisis.
