Psychosocial and Mental Health Support for Disaster Management in India

This edited book reflects on the development and importance of psychosocial and mental health support in disaster interventions and management in India. Drawing on scientific studies and reports from the Indian context and the experiences of other Asian countries, this collection discusses the importance of psychosocial support for effective recovery, strengthening resiliency, and long-term sustainable development. The chapter authors examine the role of government’s policies and humanitarian organizations in relation to critical situations due to disasters (earthquakes, floods, landslides, cyclones, tsunamis, conflicts), health emergencies (Covid-19 pandemic), or human error (gas leak), also focussing on the most vulnerable part of the population, such as children and persons with disabilities.
An invaluable read for researchers, students, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of disaster management, disaster mental health and psychosocial support, crisis intervention, and disaster risk reduction, this book collects examples and case studies to promote the development of four strategies of psychosocial support in disaster interventions: micro level interventions; standardized practice; the creation of information-education-communication materials for knowledge sharing; government program initiatives for psychosocial support and mental health services.

Subhasis Bhadra is Professor of Psychiatric Social Work and Head of the DPSSDM, NIMHANS. He worked in various disaster-affected areas in India and Asian countries.
Jayakumar C previously worked as a senior consultant NDMA. His research interests are psychosocial care, stress & well-being of marginalized communities, care for first responders, climate change.
Sanjeev Kumar Manikappa is involved in clinical services, academic, research, and training activities in disaster mental health. His research interests include curative, preventive, and promotive approaches in disaster mental health.
Ajay Goyal worked with MNCs, and his research interests include collective intelligence, psychological assessment, and therapeutic interventions in disaster, brain and behaviour.
Dinakaran Damodharan pursues research on biological psychiatry, trauma and resilience, mental health concerning climate change, and brain stimulation.
Kasi Sekar is a former Senior Professor of Psychiatric Social Work at NIMHANS. He is a pioneer in mainstreaming psychosocial support in disaster management. He made a significant contribution to policy making, program formulation on PSSMHS.