The World Health Organization convened Build Better Before: Scaling Up Capacity for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Operational Readiness and Preparedness Workshop and Full-scale Simulation Exercise in Ankara, Türkiye, from 28–31 October 2024. This global capacity-building workshop was organized with the Social Inclusion of Persons with Mental Disabilities Project and supported by the Turkish Ministries of Health and Family and Social Services, with financial support from the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, European Union and the United States Agency for International Development. The workshop brought together over 60 humanitarian professionals, emergency responders, and mental health leaders across 26 countries and 6 continents to strengthen MHPSS readiness for emergencies and improve community resilience globally.
A global commitment to responding efficiently in emergencies
In May 2024, the World Health Assembly took a significant step by passing a resolution to strengthen MHPSS as a fundamental component of emergency response strategies. This resolution underscored a global commitment to ensuring that 80% of countries establish comprehensive MHPSS preparedness systems by 2030. WHO’s workshop and simulation exercise in Ankara advanced this commitment, equipping participants with the skills needed to incorporate MHPSS support into disaster and emergency response plans, with a focus on timely, collaborative action.
Dr Fahmy Hanna, Technical Officer, WHO, emphasized the importance of investing in MHPSS operational readiness:
"Investing in MHPSS operational readiness is not a luxury; it is a necessity and a smart investment. The lessons of COVID-19 and natural disasters have shown that every dollar spent on preparedness can save at least ten in future humanitarian response costs. Failing to prioritize mental health preparedness is a risk we cannot afford. Through the Build Better Before workshop, Türkiye has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach that sets a powerful example for the global community."
Interactive training sessions and skills development
The first two days of the event featured practical training, fostering skills in MHPSS strategies adapted for diverse sectors and settings. WHO’s curriculum, informed by the IASC MHPSS Reference Group, addressed the needs of professionals in national disaster risk management, emergency response and technical MHPSS working groups.
Uğur Avşar from Presidency of Strategy and Budget of Türkiye highlighted the workshop’s practical impact:
"This workshop was a turning point in understanding how MHPSS can be seamlessly integrated into emergency response planning. The field visits and discussions with sectoral teams provided a practical dimension to the learning experience."
Multi-sectoral simulation for real-world application
To solidify these learnings, participants engaged in a two-day multi-sectoral simulation exercise replicating real-life emergency conditions. Scenarios included simulated emails, news videos, professional actors, site visits and social media challenges, requiring attendees to strategize responses, coordinate with counterparts, and manage communication across sectors. These live-action simulations emphasized the importance of intersectoral collaboration to strengthen decision-making and response effectiveness.
Building capacity and resilience for future emergencies
This workshop marked an essential step toward achieving the global MHPSS preparedness goal set for 2030. It provided a unique platform for capacity-building and collaboration, leaving participants with enhanced skills, knowledge and networks. By incorporating scenario-based learning and real-world applications, the event demonstrated how preparedness efforts can lead to stronger, more resilient health and social support systems worldwide.
Contact: buildbetterbefore@who.int