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Chapter 2 - Humanitarian Emergencies

from Section 1 - Key Principles, Theory and Concepts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 November 2023

By
Peter Hughes
Edited by
Sophie Thomson ,
Peter Hughes  and
Sam Gnanapragasam
Sophie Thomson
Affiliation:
World Psychiatric Association
Peter Hughes
Affiliation:
Springfield University Hospital, London
Sam Gnanapragasam
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
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Summary

Whenever there is a humanitarian emergency in the world, mental health workers in the UK and other regions may wish to offer their skills. For diaspora health workers it may be an even more agonising longing as they see news footage from their childhood and familial homes. However, unless the volunteer follows proper internationally accepted guidelines there is a risk that that same health worker will end up not just being unhelpful but becoming a burden on the relief effort. This chapter considers volunteering in humanitarian emergencies and related principles, and includes some personal reflections.

Type
Chapter
Information
Volunteering in Global Mental Health
A Practical Guide for Clinicians
 , pp. 22 - 27
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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