Persistent Systems’ award-winning CALMH provides mental health resources to communities in crisis
Technology helps heal the mental trauma of natural disasters
The typical priority for governments during natural disasters is saving lives and removing people from danger. So it’s no surprise that emergency response focuses on physical safety and security. But the trauma of natural disasters also causes significant harm to mental health, leaving many survivors vulnerable to complex issues such as post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. Providing adequate resources is a huge challenge on health systems already strained by crisis.
In 2019, a team from Persistent Systems in Mexico took on this challenge in their Call for Code project. Their solution CALMH, which stands for Collaboration Assessment and Learning for Mental Health, uses technology to network mental health resources to crisis survivors and was named the regional award winner for all of Latin America.
CALMH recognizes three main access points to mental health resources — before, during and after a crisis — and provides solutions for every stage. Before disaster strikes, the focus is on preparing communities with education on the effects of crisis on mental health and providing resources, such as breathing exercises, to help them remain calm.
During the crisis event, CALMH delivers mental health first aid. Users provide a basic description of their symptoms and situation, and receive a list of therapeutic actions to help them cope and stay safe. Afterward, crisis survivors can access CALMH’s volunteer network of mental health specialists that provide additional resources and support. The volunteer network is both global and local, so there is adequate coverage near the time of the event, plus access to local follow-up care in the months ahead.
Technology has nearly endless capacity to help people in times of crisis. Check out the open source projects that you can contribute to through Call for Code in an effort to deliver a helping hand where it’s needed most.
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