The VCS Emergencies Partnership Mental Health Network is a working group of the Emergencies Partnership which includes partners and organisations from the wider voluntary and community sector.
The VCS Emergencies Partnership Mental Health Network brings together voluntary and community organisations to share learning, resources and good practice on supporting people affected by emergencies. It works to strengthen community support, challenge mental health stigma, and raise awareness of the long-term impacts of trauma.
While the network does not provide mental health services directly, it helps people access support by raising awareness of gaps in provision, equipping responders to signpost effectively and promoting person-centred approaches. It also advocates for greater recognition of community trauma and the disproportionate impacts emergencies can have on some groups.
Each year, the Mental Health Network delivers a tabletop exercise to explore how organisations can work together to provide mental health and psychosocial support during and after emergencies. You can access the exercise materials here, as well as the debriefs from the 2025 and 2026 exercises.
The network meets online every other month and comes together in person once a year. If you are interested in joining the Mental Health Network, please contact info@vcsep.org.uk.
Resources
Bee the Difference (National Emergencies Trust)
The Bee the Difference report compiles the experiences of young survivors of the Manchester Arena attack to provide better understanding on how to support those affected by terror in the future.
Coping with stress following a major incident (NHS)
This NHS leaflet provides information on how people, including children, may feel in the days and months after being affected by or involved in a traumatic incident.
Psychosocial support (British Red Cross)
Find out what BRC’s psychosocial and mental health team does, and how you can get and give support for psychological and emotional issues.
Psychosocial Reference Centre (IFRC)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Psychosocial Reference Centre has a number of resources on psychosocial support in crisis and emergency responses.
Wellbeing guide (IFRC)
This International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Wellbeing guide helps people find support to deal with everyday and major emergencies. It contains advice for when feeling overwhelmed and distressed and how to strengthen inner resources.
Wellbeing guide (IFRC Translations)
The IFRC wellbeing guide is also available in Arabic, Bosnian, French, Portuguese and Ukrainian.
Creating the best environment for recovery (UK Trauma Council)
Research, evidence and principles that can guide leaders of educational communities to best respond over the days, weeks, months and years following potentially traumatic events.
Childhood trauma, war, migration and asylum (UK Trauma Council)
Evidence based resources to help children and young people affected by war, migration and asylum as well as the professionals supporting them in educational and community settings.
Supporting children and young people after potentially traumatic events (UK Trauma Council)
Practical, evidence-informed suggestions to support school-aged children and young people in the first days and weeks following a frightening and distressing event.
Understanding trauma and adversity (YoungMinds)
This resource provides information and advice on the definitions of trauma and adversity, how it may present itself, and how to support a young person who is struggling with the effects.
Mental health directory (Bayo/The Ubele Initiative)
Bayo is a directory to find collectives, organisations and services from across the UK – run by and for the Black community – to support mental health and wellbeing.
Hub of Hope (Chasing the Stigma)
A database that brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place.
Supporting People After Terrorism (Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network)
This document - developed by the CTPN Humanitarian Assistance and Psychological Support Expert Group - offers information, guidance, practical tips and further resources for supporting people impacted by terrorism.
Healing Spaces (International Rescue Committee)
The IRC’s Healing Spaces training is a trauma informed training designed to support community organisations, charities and others supporting refugee children and youth in the UK.
Hope and Light (Healthy Minds)
Access culturally responsive mental health services for Black African, Black Caribbean, Central and Eastern European, Roma and South Asian communities.
Mapping the Mental Health Sector (Association of Mental Health Providers - AMHP)
This app was created for the purpose of highlighting the disparity of mental health service access between areas of England.
Find your Local Mind
There are around 100 local Minds across England and Wales. Use this tool to find your nearest local Mind. Each local Mind has their own website with information on what they offer in your area.