OSUN Open Educational Resources

Document Type

Case Study

Publication Date

6-2025

Abstract

Executive Summary The documentary film "Silent Storm: Floods and Mental Health in Pakistan" explores the urgent need to incorporate mental health support into Pakistan's disaster response framework, especially in the wake of the 2022 floods. The catastrophic floods displaced millions, resulting in economic losses exceeding $15 billion 1 , but the psychological impacts on affected communities remain largely unaddressed.

● Key Impact:

The 2022 floods caused extensive trauma, manifesting in PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression among survivors.

○ Current disaster management protocols focus on physical safety, neglecting mental health despite its critical role in recovery.

● Challenges Identified:

○ Limited mental health infrastructure: Pakistan has fewer than 300 psychiatrists for over 230 million people.

○ Cultural stigma: Traditional beliefs and stigma around mental health further hinder access to necessary support.

○ Lack of mental health provisions in emergency response: Evacuation plans prioritize physical safety with no integrated mental health services.

● Recommendations:

○ Integration of Mental Health in SOPs: Embed mental health support in disaster response Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at both national and provincial levels.

○ Mobile Mental Health Units: Deploy units staffed by trained professionals to provide immediate psychological support post-disaster.

○ Public Awareness and Training: Launch nationwide campaigns to reduce stigma and train responders in psychological first aid.

○ International Models: Adopt lessons from countries like Japan and Haiti, where early mental health interventions reduced long-term psychological harm after disasters.

● Conclusion:

○ Addressing mental health needs in disaster management not only aids emotional

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Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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