Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies

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When the mind is the hidden casualty

In the span of just a few months, India has been shaken by a series of tragedies that remind us of how fragile life truly is. What began as a moment of joy in Bengaluru, celebrating a long- awaited IPL victory, turned into horror when a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed innocent lives. In Pahalgam, a terror attack left families devastated and communities grieving. Soon after, the Ahmedabad plane crash sent shockwaves across the country.

Different causes, different places, but the same outcome: unseen scars of grief, fear, and trauma that outlast the headlines. As World Mental Health Day 2025 emphasizes “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” the question is clear: when disaster strikes, are we prepared to heal not just bodies, but also minds?

Why Mental Health in Crises Matters

Emergencies often remind us of the images of ambulances, hospitals, and rescue operations. Yet the psychological impact such as insomnia, survivor’s guilt and anxiety often go unnoticed. Trauma can affect victims long after physical injuries heal, manifesting as depression, burnout, or strained relationships within and outside family, ultimately challenging a person’s future and community resilience.

It is not only the victims who suffer, but also doctors, nurses, armed forces, rescue workers, police, and journalists often experience secondary trauma. During COVID-19, we saw frontline workers break down from exhaustion and stress. After every terror attack or disaster, relief workers and armed forces push themselves beyond limits, but rarely get the chance to process what they have seen. If we want strong response systems, we must also care for those who are the backbone of such responses.

India’s unique challenges in the Mental Health sector

India faces both a high frequency of crises and a shortage of mental health resources. Yet, we still have only about one psychiatrist for every 100,000 people (according to the survey conducted by the Indian Journal of Psychiatry) far below the global recommendations.

Urban centers like Bengaluru have services, but they are not always affordable or prioritized during emergencies. In smaller towns and villages, mental health support is even scarcer. Families focus on material recovery, while psychological healing is often ignored, a cost we can no longer afford.

Steps Forward

World Mental Health Day 2025 is both a reminder and a roadmap. Some essential measures include:

  • Integrating mental health into disaster response: Relief teams should include trained counsellors alongside ambulances and first-aid kits.
  • Training community workers: Teachers, health workers, and volunteers can be taught basic psychological first aid, which involves offering breathing space, listening empathetically, and providing preliminary support until professional help is available.
  • Mandatory mental health policies: Regular mental health check-ups in Employee Assistance Programs and support for employees’ families during crises.
  • Breaking the stigma: Normalizing mental health support ensures survivors and families do not feel ashamed of seeking help.
  • Leveraging technology: Tele-counselling platforms, such as Tele-Manas (a national mental health helpline launched by NIMHANS, Bengaluru), and other online platforms and helplines can bridge gaps, especially in areas where specialists are not readily

Link to access helpline contacts – https://depwd.gov.in/en/others-helplines/

A call for compassion

We cannot prevent every terror attack, accident, or disaster. But we can prepare; ensuring resources are available to rebuild lives and support those left with invisible scars.

As we mark World Mental Health Day 2025, let us remember that healing is not complete until both body and mind are cared for. The people of Bengaluru, Pahalgam, Ahmedabad, and countless other places remind us daily that the invisible wounds are real and they need our urgent attention.

Because in every catastrophe, the greatest test of humanity lies in not just how we save lives, but how we help people truly live again

(Author of the above article is Ms. Shilpa S, Consultant Psychologist at YourDost)

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