Disaster Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, frameworks, and institutional roles in disaster mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Workplace programs offering counseling, mental health services, and support for personal or work-related issues during disaster response and recovery.

APA Prepare Phase

The disaster response phase where mental health professionals focus on volunteering in advance, community disaster planning, and providing disaster mental health training before a crisis occurs.

APA Respond Phase

The immediate post-disaster phase focusing on acute support, psychological first aid, stress management, and grief support rather than traditional formal therapy at the disaster site.

APA Recover Phase

The post-disaster phase centered on long-term psychosocial support, trauma-focused counseling, psychoeducational programs, and community rebuilding efforts.

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)

A consortium of major humanitarian agencies that established guidelines defining a minimum multi-sectoral MHPSS response to protect mental health during emergencies.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)

The Philippines' apex body for disaster risk reduction and management, established by Republic Act 10121 and chaired by the Secretary of National Defense.

Republic Act 10121

The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 that established the NDRRMC and its multi-sectoral disaster framework.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)

The secretariat and implementing arm of the NDRRMC that administers day-to-day operations and preparedness programs under the Department of National Defense.

NDRRMC Four Thematic Areas

The structural pillars of disaster management in the Philippines: Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response, and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery.

UN Cluster Approach

An international emergency response framework utilized by the NDRRMC to group response activities into sectors (e.g., health, logistics, shelter) led by designated agencies.

Intervention Pyramid Layer 1: Basic Services and Security

The foundational layer of MHPSS focused on delivering basic physical needs—such as food, water, shelter, and health care—in a safe, accessible, and dignified manner.

Intervention Pyramid Layer 2: Community and Family Supports

The second layer of MHPSS that bolsters natural support systems, restores social networks, and provides communal spaces such as child-friendly spaces and support groups.

Intervention Pyramid Layer 3: Focused, Non-Specialized Support

The third layer of MHPSS providing short-term targeted support, psychological first aid, and basic counseling delivered by trained non-specialist personnel or health workers.

Intervention Pyramid Layer 4: Specialized Services

The top layer of MHPSS involving formal clinical mental health care, psychotherapy, and psychiatric medication provided by mental health specialists for severe mental disorders.