9 February 2023 | UNDSS Comms
As the security and humanitarian teams rushed to offer lifesaving assistance in Ukraine, another team was positioned to offer a different kind of support to the United Nations responders. The Critical Incident Stress Management Section (CISMS). ¡°Before the onset of the invasion, we were prepared to offer psychosocial support in the event of the worst-case scenario,¡± started Ms. Madhubhashini Kalhari Hewage, the Regional Stress Counsellor in Asia & Pacific and Russophone countries. ¡°It had been a slow-burning protracted emergency which we had monitored over the years until it became full-blown on 24 February 2022.¡±
Just like many other crises, United Nations personnel in their quest to support survivors of emergencies, manmade or natural, undergo immense psychological trauma. If their mental wellbeing is disrupted, then they cannot provide beneficiaries with quality care. ¡°To offer immediate psychosocial support, we urgently launched a helpline with over 15 counsellors available from 12 UN agencies, funds and programmes,¡± she added. Further, the team also had to coordinate a core group 40 counsellors from over 15 entities, to harmonize the provision of psychosocial support to UN personnel in Ukraine and their families. In addition, UN personnel have access to over 25 external mental health professionals vetted by CISMS inside and outside of Ukraine for specialized mental health care, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression that is on the rise.
On the ground and at the outset, the UNDSS national stress counsellor was overwhelmed by service demands and CISMS surged three international counsellors from OCHA, UNOG and UNDSS to meet the influx of needs of staff and their dependents. ¡°We also ensured, continuity and availability of services in-country, by recruiting the first UNDSS international stress counsellor with USAID funding¡± Ms. Hewage explained. The new UNDSS stress counsellor has strengthened CISMS¡¯ ability to provide a concerted psychosocial response on the ground by being available in real time to provide customized psychosocial support, particularly well-being checks, critical incident stress management and resilliency skills through training and counselling.
As we approach one year since the onset of the Ukraine crisis, different UNDSS sections continue to operate in emergency mode. ¡°The uniquely complex and protracted nature of the Ukraine war has made CISMS¡¯ psychosocial support service coordination role ever so relevant and intense over the last year with over 62 weekly and regional meetings with the UN counsellor network¡± she stated. Additionally, as Ukraine took centre stage, other emergencies in the region were still ongoing, from Afghanistan to Myanmar. ¡°Crisis anticipation and preparedness and investing on building strong networks with UN partners have helped us manage multiple crises simultaneously and effectively.¡±
CISMS's mission is to enable all individuals and entities across the UN system to prepare for, cope with and recover from and thrive after critical events, and to be effective and efficient contributors to UN operations worldwide while maintaining positive lifestyles.