Presentation: There’s no health without mental health. Providing mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian and conflict affected areas

Please Note: This event will not be recorded.

Abstract: This presentation will discuss mental health needs in humanitarian settings, especially conflict zones, with particular reference to the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The presentation will include which psychology services are delivered to the affected population, and outline some of the global mental health challenges. It will conclude with how we can advocate for more mental health awareness.

Presenter: Dr Sarah Miller is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, and Honorary Associate Professor at the Australian National University. She completed her Doctorate in Psychology on cross-cultural mental health and also has qualifications in human resources; international and community development; public health; and International Law specialising in IHL and human rights, refugee law, and law and development. Sarah has published papers and presented at international conferences on asylum seeker and refugee wellbeing, forensic psychology, IHL and mental health, cross cultural practice, trauma, supporting healthcare workers during COVID-19 and mental health and the law.

Sarah has worked clinically and in leadership positions in prisons, Australia’s onshore and offshore detention programs, acute inpatient and community mental health, drug and alcohol services, with children with disabilities, and in remote Indigenous communities in the Australia. Sarah was also the past Principal Psychologist at ACT Health, the Director of Allied Health with Canberra Health Services, and the COVID-19 Mental Health Adviser to the Chief Health Officer in ACT.

Alongside her work in Australia, Sarah has worked with the international Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement spanning 13 years. She has worked in Pakistan, Norway, Philippines, Chechnya, Russia, Syria, Israel and Occupied Territories, Papua New Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria. She has been the keynote speaker on World Red Cross Day and the Health Representative on the Australian Red Cross IHL Committee. She is currently the Head of Mental Health at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva, Switzerland.