Psychologists in international emergencies

This statement aims to orient psychologists to effective disaster response contributions in international emergencies. It is based on international guidelines for psychosocial intervention.

The APS endorses the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (2007).  

The guidelines outline key considerations for mental health professionals wanting to assist in an emergency in another country.  Mental health workers wanting to assist should meet the following criteria: 

1. They have previously worked in emergency settings. 
2. They have previously worked outside their own socio-cultural setting.
3. They have basic competence in some of the interventions covered in the guidelines.
4. They have an understanding of either community psychology or public health principles.
5. They have a written invitation from a nation or established international organisation to work in the country.
6. They are invited to work as part of an organisation that is likely to maintain a sustained community presence in the emergency area.
7. They do not focus their work on implementing interventions (e.g. clinical work) but rather provide support to programs on a general level, including the transfer of skills to local staff, so that interventions and supports are implemented by local staff.

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