Mental Health in Humanitarian Crises

Bishal Gyawali is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Section of Global Health within the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen. He earned his MSc in Public Health from the University of Southern Denmark in 2014 and completed his PhD in Public Health at Aarhus University in 2019. His research primarily focuses on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cervical cancer, and mental health issues, investigating contributing factors like obesity, physical inactivity, and substance use. Recently, he has dedicated his efforts to developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based interventions aimed at preventing and managing NCDs in low- and middle-income countries. Gyawali has conducted both qualitative and quantitative analyses and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, earning recognition for his work. He received the 'Emerging Leaders Award' from the World Heart Federation in 2020 and the 'Global NCD Scholars Award' from Johns Hopkins University in 2018.

Wietse A. Tol, PhD, is a professor at both Johns Hopkins University and the University of Copenhagen, specializing in mental health and psychosocial support for populations in low- and middle-income countries facing adversity. His research focuses on developing and evaluating mental health programs, enhancing needs assessments, and implementing monitoring and evaluation strategies in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies. Dr. Tol has conducted mixed methods research in countries such as Nepal, Burundi, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste, contributing to systematic reviews that identify best practices in mental health promotion. He teaches courses like "Chronically Ill in an Emergency: Why Mental Health Matters" and "Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach," emphasizing the critical role of mental health within public health frameworks. His work addresses the mental health challenges arising from humanitarian crises and has significantly advanced the understanding of resilience and effective interventions in conflict-affected populations.

Saria Hassan, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Emory School of Medicine and Rollins School of Public Health, specializing in implementation science focused on chronic disease management in humanitarian settings. She earned her MD from Harvard Medical School and completed her residency in Adult Medicine and Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Hassan has worked extensively with vulnerable populations in primary care and has been conducting research in the Caribbean since 2016 as part of the Yale Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN). She led the Implementation Core of an NIH/NIMHD-funded project aimed at reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through evidence-based interventions. Following the devastation caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Dr. Hassan recognized the urgent need to enhance NCD management during disasters, a priority for disaster-prone regions like the Caribbean. She currently holds an NHLBI-funded career-development award to advance understanding of systemic changes necessary for addressing NCD needs in disaster situations. Dr. Hassan teaches the course "Chronically Ill in an Emergency: Why Mental Health Matters," emphasizing the intersection of chronic illness and mental health in crisis contexts.

Siri Tellier holds a Master's degree from Harvard School of Public Health, specializing in public health demography, and brings over 40 years of international health experience to her role as a lecturer at the University of Copenhagen. Her extensive career includes serving as the Director of the International Department of the Red Cross in Denmark from 1992 to 2001, as well as long-term field postings with UNFPA in Afghanistan, China, and North Korea. She has also worked as a Programme Director for Community Participation in Water and Sanitation with UNDP and chaired the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in China. Since 2009, she has been responsible for teaching the module on Health in Emergencies and Refugee Health within the master's programs in Disaster Management and International Health at the University of Copenhagen. Dr. Tellier teaches courses such as "Chronically Ill in an Emergency: Why Mental Health Matters" and "Non-Communicable Diseases in Humanitarian Settings," focusing on critical health issues faced in crisis situations.

Anouk Boschma is an MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) Technical Advisor at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), where she focuses on integrating mental health support within humanitarian action. She holds an academic background in social and cross-cultural psychology, complemented by studies in international humanitarian action. Anouk has extensive experience as a humanitarian operational and programs manager and director across various regions, including Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Her work emphasizes the intersection of mental health support and humanitarian efforts, ensuring that psychosocial needs are addressed in crisis situations. Anouk teaches courses such as "Chronically Ill in an Emergency: Why Mental Health Matters," contributing to the understanding of mental health challenges in emergency contexts.