Mindful Sheltering

Mindful Sheltering contains the proceedings of a multi-sectoral Shelter and Mental Health Learning Event hosted by the ‘Self-recovery from Humanitarian Crisis’ research group in May 2021. Mindful Sheltering explores the connections between living conditions and mental health and psychosocial well-being includes summaries of presentations by experts in Shelter and Settlements programming, MHPSS and development. It also examines how humanitarian Shelter and Settlements assistance impacts mental health and well-being and the importance of healthy shelter for long-term recovery. Mindful Sheltering highlights that a person’s mental health and psychosocial well-being is affected as much - or even more - by their living conditions as it is by their experiences of crisis and disaster. Shelter is a determinant of mental health and well-being in all emergencies; inadequate shelter is among the ‘daily stressors’ that contribute to mental distress for individuals and communities and is detrimental to early recovery and eventual development. Collaboration between Shelter and Settlements and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) as well as other humanitarian sectors is necessary to ensure positive outcomes for people recovering from humanitarian crises. The report contains recommendations to inform holistic humanitarian responses and ensure wide positive impacts of post-crisis rebuilding. It is available to download here on the Global Shelter Cluster website.