Specific groups

International standards stress that in crises some groups face greater risk and need particular effort to reach. The reason is not the groups themselves but the conditions that leave them out: inaccessible information, unsuitable shelter, interrupted care.

Inclusive psychosocial support treats these groups not as an add-on but as people considered from the very start of planning.

• Trouble falling asleep, waking often, nightmares
• Startling at sudden noises, feeling constantly on guard
• Going over the event again and again — or not wanting to think about it at all
• Restlessness, anger, crying spells, emotional numbness
• Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness
• Headaches, stomach problems, muscle tension, fatigue
• Guilt, shame or “why did I survive” thoughts

How reactions show varies with age, culture and the person’s way of communicating; the distress of a child or of an adult with a communication disability may appear in behaviour rather than words.

• Ask the person what they need; do not assume.
• Give information in plain language, in more than one format (written, spoken, visual) and, where needed, in more than one language.
• Include carers and families in the support plan.
• Apply child-safeguarding principles in all work involving children.
• Plan rest, rotation and peer support for response teams.

• Reactions last longer than four weeks or keep getting worse
• Daily tasks — work, school, caring for children — have become impossible
• Use of alcohol, medication or other substances has increased
• The person is completely withdrawing and not talking to anyone
• There are thoughts of harming oneself or others — in this case, without waiting