Psychological Interventions for Disaster and Trauma Survivors in South Asia: Bridging the Gap Between Need and Access
Khan, Saima
Khan, Saima
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Abstract
Disaster, whether natural or man-made, results in physical wreckage alongside deep and enduring psychological wounds that are frequently marginalized in mainstream humanitarian responses. In South Asia, where natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones intersect with chronic socio-political instability, poverty, displacement, and infrastructural fragility, the mental health burden following disasters is both acute and under-addressed. This chapter provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the psychological interventions available to disaster and trauma survivors across South Asia. Drawing on empirical research, policy analyses, and field-based case studies, it uncovers multi-layered barriers, ranging from financial and logistical constraints to cultural misalignment and system neglect, that obstruct access and continuity of care. The chapter advocates for a shift from imported, one-size-fits-all models to community-driven, culturally adapted interventions that integrate indigenous knowledge, peer networks, and religious-spiritual traditions. It highlights evidence-based approaches such as psychological first aid, group therapy, yoga-based mindfulness, expressive arts, and digital telepsychiatry. Additionally, it emphasizes the urgent need for integrating mental health into disaster preparedness, primary healthcare, and school systems. Ultimately, the chapter proposes a sustainable, scalable roadmap that centers the voices of affected communities, ensures dignity in care, and reframes disaster mental health as a core pillar of resilience and human development
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Climate Change, Disaster and Mental Health in South Asia