A long-term approach, collaboration and support for staff identified as important for effective psychosocial preparedness
When representatives of various organisations working with mental health in crises and ultimately war gathered for a roundtable discussion to provide input to an ongoing government inquiry into the topic, there was clear agreement and common ground in regards to what is important for creating good mental health and strong psychosocial preparedness. The group now plans to continue meeting and monitoring the issue.
When the Centre for Health Crises invited participants to a roundtable discussion on 30 September, following the Government’s decision this spring to commission the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Public Health Agency of Sweden to propose how work on mental health and suicide prevention can be developed in preparation for peacetime crisis situations, heightened alert and, ultimately, war, just under thirty people from academia, public authorities, regions and civil society organisations gathered. Through presentations, group discussions, dialogue and the sharing of experience, they produced input for the assignment, which was taken up by representatives of both authorities, who also took part.
“It was extremely valuable that those working on the assignment were present throughout the roundtable discussion. I am grateful that they took the time to attend and participate, and I am pleased that we were able to bring together such a broad group of people who work in different ways on issues related to mental health in crises. It was also valuable to hear presentations on work carried out in Ukraine since the war broke out there, and with affected young people and their families in Norway after the terrorist attack on Utøya,” says Karima Viksten Assel, expert coordinator at the Centre for Health Crises, who moderated the roundtable discussion.
Shared understanding adds weight to arguments
When the roundtable discussion was summarised a number of areas emerged that the group agreed were important. These included the importance of being able to work committed to long term perspective, the need for cooperation between different actors – from civil society organisations to health and social care and specialist care – and ensuring that staff working with mental ill health have time for recovery and get support in counteracting moral distress.
“Having a shared understanding of these issues means that we can give them greater weight when arguing for them todecision-makers, for example through the opinion piece we plan to write after the roundtable discussion,” Karima Viksten Assel continues.
The assignment to propose how work on mental health and suicide prevention can be developed ahead of peacetime crisis situations, heightened alert and, ultimately, war is to be presented to the Government in February next year. The group that gathered for the roundtable discussion plans to continue to stay in touch and monitor how the work progresses.