CoDRRAThe pyramid places specialised mental health care alongside practical, family and community support.
Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) covers different kinds of help people may need during and after a disaster. The intervention pyramid groups them into four layers. People in the same community can need support from several layers at once.
The first layer is basic services and security. Access to food, clothing and shelter helps people regain stability. Provide these services in ways that protect dignity, account for local culture and avoid discrimination.
The second layer is community and family support. Disasters can separate families and disrupt the relationships people normally rely on. Reconnecting people with those they trust and restoring familiar activities can help rebuild that support.
The third layer is focused support provided by trained people who are not mental health specialists. Psychological first aid is one example: listen if someone wants to talk, find out what they need and help connect them with practical or social support. Do not press people to describe a frightening experience.
The fourth layer is specialised services for people who need clinical mental health care. The layers are designed to work alongside one another. A person receiving specialist care still needs a safe place to live and people they can turn to.