Practical guidance for mental health and psychosocial support in radiological and nuclear emergencies

Lessons learned from past nuclear or radiological (N/R) emergencies have demonstrated that, similar to other large-scale disasters and emergency situations, the mental health and psychosocial consequences of an accident in terms of health detriment to affected populations can outweigh other public health impacts, e.g. radiation-induced physical health impacts such as cancer. For this reason, in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a framework for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in radiological and nuclear emergencies as an initial step toward integrating mental health support and radiological protection. The present practical guidance, as an operational extension of the WHO framework, is intended to be action-oriented and so takes the form of a summary table of actions, complemented by detailed action sheets where no specific guidance exists in available emergency guidelines to be adopted for N/R emergencies. The action sheets provide a list of preparation activities but also define indicators to help authorities assess their importance, quality of implementation, and efficiency. The general themes covered by the action sheets are discussed.