A framework for mental health and psychosocial support in radiological and nuclear emergencies

This document presents a framework for mental health and psychosocial support in radiological and nuclear emergencies, the first of its kind to bring together existing knowledge at the intersection of mental health and radiation protection. It is intended for officials and specialists involved in radiation emergency planning and risk management as well as MHPSS experts working in health emergencies.

The framework was developed as an initial step towards supporting the integration of these fields, through a straightforward discussion of the mental health and psychosocial impacts exerted by radiation emergencies, as well as actions that can be taken to mitigate these effects and to support the mental health and psychosocial well-being of affected people and communities across the emergency cycle. These actions are guided by several crosscutting considerations of MHPSS planning and implementation, which are discussed in the document.