MSF Updates Mental Health Manual for Mexico

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is marking its 40th anniversary in Mexico with an updated version of its Practical Manual of Mental Health: Design and Implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Interventions in Disasters. The document compiles procedures, tools, and field experience to guide mental health professionals responding to the emotional and psychological impact that disasters leave on affected communities.

Mental health care has become a central component of MSF’s response in Mexico, particularly following events such as the 2017 earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent emergencies including Hurricane Otis in Acapulco and the 2025 floods that impacted several states. These crises have underscored the need to reassess the methods and tools that shape Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions in humanitarian contexts, says MSF.

Climate change’s effects are increasingly evident in people’s mental health. As awareness of the issue grows, many people experience heightened anxiety and distress about the future, according to an article from the Journal of Climate Change and Health. This phenomenon, known as eco-anxiety, has become a growing concern for mental health professionals. The anxiety stems from a combination of witnessing the real-time effects of climate change and the pervasive presence of climate-related news in media outlets and social media discussions.

“The impact of climate change is compounding the already extremely challenging situation for mental health and mental health services globally. There are nearly 1 billion people living with mental health conditions, yet in low- and middle-income countries, three out of four do not have access to needed services,” says Dévora Kestel, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO. 

The revised manual builds on MSF’s recent operational experience and presents a methodological approach for addressing the mental health and psychosocial consequences of disasters. It outlines the procedures for exploratory and implementation phases of interventions and provides guidance on coordinating with partners, conducting advocacy, and collecting testimonies while safeguarding patient identity and personal data.

The publication also highlights the role of community participation in emotional recovery strategies. MSF emphasizes that local involvement is essential for both individual and collective mental health processes during and after emergencies.

The launch took place during the fourth session of MSF’s Humanitarian Dialogues, a series held in cities across the country to reflect on the challenges of medical-humanitarian work and review the organization’s activities in Mexico over four decades. Through these meetings, MSF aims to engage diverse sectors in discussions on how to strengthen the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The Humanitarian Dialogues offer an opportunity to exchange institutional and personal experience to strengthen collaboration among actors involved in medical-humanitarian response. The discussions are also intended to explore the challenges that future mental health professionals and humanitarian workers will face, providing a reference for those in training who will eventually form part of the country’s frontline response.

MSF in Mexico

Since 1985, following its emergency intervention to assist people affected by the Mexico City earthquake, MSF has intermittently provided medical and humanitarian services to the Mexican population through various projects and emergency responses.

"For four decades, thousands of collaborators have brought the mission of Doctors Without Borders to every corner of Mexico. Their stories reflect commitment, humanity, and the strength to act without borders," says MSF.