Key Facts

• Almost all people affected by emergencies will experience psychological distress, which for most people will improve over time.
• Among people who have experienced war or other conflict in the previous 10 years, one in 11 (9%) will have a moderate or severe mental disorder.
• One person in five (22%) living in an area affected by conflict is estimated to have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
• Depression tends to be more common among women than men.
• Depression and anxiety become more common as people get older.
• People with severe mental disorders are especially vulnerable during emergencies and need access to mental health care and other basic needs.
• International guidelines recommend services at a number of levels ̶ from basic services to clinical care ̶ and indicate that mental health care needs to be made available immediately for specific, urgent mental health problems as part of the health response.
• Despite their tragic nature and adverse effects on mental health, emergencies have shown to be opportunities to build sustainable mental health systems for all people in need.