Heartbeat of Humanity is a podcast about mental health and psychosocial support. The podcast is mainly for staff and volunteers in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, especially staff and volunteers working in mental health and psychosocial support services. The podcast is produced by the Psychosocial Centre, an IFRC reference centre providing service to the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The Psychosocial Centre assists in facilitating mental health and psychosocial support, promotes psyc ...
…
continue reading
In the aftermath of an emergency, the sight of someone wearing a red vest is a sign that help has arrived. It’s a sign of hope and of comfort. In this podcast, you will meet the People in the Red Vest, people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. We talk with them about the complexities of today’s crises, the solutions, and what inspires them to keep going.
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to Ana Mejia about mental health and the climate crisis. Ana Mejia is a former member of the Youth Advisory Group of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and a volunteer from the Ecuadorian Red Cross. Ana leads a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team i…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Disaster preparedness and disaster resilience
43:38
43:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:38
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to John Richardson about disaster preparedness, disaster resilience and disaster risk reduction. And why it is a problem calling fires, floods and storms ‘natural disasters’. John Richardson is the Manager of Knowledge Development at the Australian Institute for D…
…
continue reading
English text below Dans cet épisode de Heartbeat of Humanity, Arz Stephan, conseiller technique SMSPSS, s’entretient avec Ahlem Cheffi, conseillère technique de SMSPS, sur les concepts de « dilemme éthique » et de « blessure morale » et sur leur impact sur les travailleurs humanitaires, y compris le personnel et les bénévoles de la Croix-Rouge et d…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Saving lives and saving the planet — all part of daily business for the Costa Rican Red Cross
34:08
34:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:08
Can Costa Rica’s largest ambulance fleet become completely carbon neutral? How can we better work with the forces of nature to protect our communities from natural calamities? Is it possible to save lives and save the planet at the same time? These are some of the questions that the first woman president of the Costa Rican Red Cross, Dyanne Marenco…
…
continue reading
In this episode Communication Officer at the IFRC PS Centre, Villads Zahle interviews project manager, Erni Kristiansen and project consultant, Bebbie Petersen about youth to youth Psychological First Aid (PFA) in Greenland.By The IFRC Psychosocial Centre
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Why the Ukraine conflict should change the way we respond to large-scale crises. A talk with IFRC’s former Ukraine operations manager Violaine des Rosiers
59:28
59:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:28
A 25-year veteran of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Violaine des Rosiers has served as an emergency response humanitarian worker in more than 30 countries, including Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Liberia and, most recently, Ukraine. In her home country of Canada, she also served as CEO of two social innovation organizations. With all these exp…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Born in a refugee camp in Gaza, Mohammed Alburai became a double refugee when he sought safety for his family in Slovenia. Now he helps other refugees as a cultural mediator for the Slovenian Red Cross ...
51:46
51:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:46
Born in the Deir El-Balah refugee camp in Gaza, Mohammed Alburai worked as a volunteer ambulance driver for the Palestine Red Crescent before leaving for Slovenia in 2019. Now a cultural mediator and translator for the Slovenian Red Cross, Mohammed helps migrants and refugees cope with their new life in Slovenia. He helps migrants connect with lost…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
From dentist to humanitarian leader, Dr. Asha Mohammed’s passion and leadership now focused on Africa’s biggest challenges
45:11
45:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:11
Dr. Asha Mohammed began her career as a dentist in low-income communities in Kenya. Her passion for helping others and her evident leadership skills led her to key roles battling HiV/AIDS and, eventually, to the role of Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross. She now serves as IFRC’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and International…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
With climate change posing an existential threat to many cultures and communities, it’s time to take the mental health fallout a lot more seriously
49:29
49:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:29
Eco-anxiety is a relatively new term in the lexicon of psychology, but it’s gaining more attention. In a world facing an existential threat from climate change — and many communities already facing tremendous upheaval — the mental health impacts of climate change are impossible to ignore. People who rely on farming, fishing, or whose cultures are c…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Presenting Training Guide on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies
25:36
25:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:36
In this episode Communication Officer at the IFRC PS Centre, Villads Zahle interviews emergency expert and MHPSS technical advisor, Shona Whitton about the newly published Training Guide on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies. Shona outlines the potential of the new guide in the context of her professional experiences in emergenci…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
MHPSS evidence building in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
36:22
36:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:22
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Sarah Kate van der Walt, Technical Adviser in the IFRC Psychosocial Centre and Monia Aebersold MHPSS, International Focal Point from the Swiss Red Cross, will be talking with Rebecca Horn Independent MHPSS Specialist on the importance of MHPSS evidence building in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Part 2 of our interview with the first person to visit every country in the world without flying. The humanity of volunteers helped keep me going.
35:46
35:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:46
Torbjørn ‘Thor’ C. Pedersen not only travelled to every country in the world without flying. He also visited nearly every National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society in the world and wrote stories for his travel blog about their response to a staggering variety of humanitarian challenges. “My motivation to continue and not give up came from differe…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
He went to every country in the world without flying. His key takeaway: forget the headlines, people are good.
35:00
35:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:00
Part 1 of our interview with Torbjørn ‘Thor’ C. Pedersen, the first person to visit every country in the world without ever taking an airplane. But that’s not his only distinction. He also visited nearly every National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society in the world and wrote stories for his travel blog about their response to a staggering variety …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
‘Regardless of culture, country, creed, language or religion’ — The first woman president of the Turkish Red Crescent Society talks about the big humanitarian challenges ahead and how to ensure all people ...
44:14
44:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:14
As the first female president of the Turkish Red Crescent, Dr. Fatma Meriç Yilmaz talks about her National Society’s role in supporting one of the world’s largest refugee populations and in running the world’s most ambitious humanitarian cash assistance programmes. She also discusses the continuing impacts from the earthquake that struck Türkiye an…
…
continue reading
In this episode Communication Officer at the IFRC PS Centre, Villads Zahle interviews Moaaz Allahham, a young Syrian man forced onto an irregular route to Europe, Maria Marga, an activist working for Collective Aid to assist people on the move at Serbia's border with the EU, and Sarah Harrison, an IFRC PS Centre expert on the pressures, stress and …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Local communities and youth must drive the global climate change agenda says IFRC climate champion
34:17
34:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:17
Ani Gevorgyan’s life as a humanitarian began when she was 14 years old and she signed up to bring joy, art and activity into the lives of refugee children. Two years later, the young volunteer for the Armenian Red Cross was organizing “eco-runs” in which people combined physical activity with environmental clean ups. Now, as an IFRC Climate Champio…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Humanitarian leaders talk about how far we’ve come in gender equity and the gaps that remain
34:08
34:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:08
Special International Women's Day episode: Kate Forbes, the newly elected president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies joins the organization’s Secretary General Jagan Chapagain in a wide-ranging conversation about the critical importance of gender equity in humanitarian action. They look at how far the humanita…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Two years into the escalation of conflict in Ukraine, ‘we have helped 18 million people’ thanks to our neutrality - Episode 2, Season 2 / People in the Red Vest
37:06
37:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:06
IFRC’s regional director for Europe talks about the conflict that has impacted not just the European continent, but the entire world. Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen explains how the principle of neutrality — along with an inspiring level of humanitarian solidarity — has helped the IFRC assist some 18 million people impacted by the crisis. Mental health …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
‘I wasn't surprised, but I was still shocked’: IFRC’s new president takes on today’s toughest humanitarian challenges - People in the Red Vest / Episode 1, Season 2
45:22
45:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:22
Inspired by her mother’s work helping migrant farm workers in the southwestern United States, Kate Forbes grew up understanding how hard people struggle for a better life. Starting as a Red Cross volunteer at her local branch, she now leads the world’s largest network of local humanitarian organizations. As newly elected president of the IFRC, Forb…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Kenya Red Cross' new MHPSS framework and mental health stigma in Kenya
45:38
45:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:38
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Trine Rosa Larsen interviews Kenya Red Cross MHPSS practitioners Soony Wendy, Leyla Semkiwa, and Albert Migowa about the new KRCS MHPSS Framework, operating the toll-free 1199 helpline, mental health stigma in Kenya, suicide prevention, methadone clinics, the El-Nino floods, and carin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Flipping a common humanitarian narrative about a vast, diverse and dynamic region – People in the Red Vest / Episode 8
47:59
47:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:59
In this episode, Alexander Matheou challenges a common humanitarian narrative about the Asia Pacific region being “disaster prone.” Yes, it is particularly vulnerable to climate-related events — and it has more than its share of volcanos and earthquakes — but it’s also leading the way in life-saving prevention, preparedness and humanitarian innovat…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Jesper Guhle interviews MHPSS Technical Advisors Arz Stephan and Anna Goloktionova about the concepts of 'survivor guilt' and 'moral injury' and how they impact people including Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers who often are among the first responders. In a time where p…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A near-death experience on a motorcycle steered Xaveir Castellanos to a life helping others – People in the Red Vest / Episode 7
47:42
47:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:42
Xavier Castellanos was 13 years old when he joined a Red Cross club at his high school in Ecuador. But it wasn’t until he experienced a serious motorcycle accident that his life took a serious turn toward a career helping others. The teenage Castellanos almost died in the crash, in part because no one nearby knew how to help. So he rejoined the Red…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rescued from armed conflict as a child, Hossam Elsharkawi has devoted his life to helping others – People in the Red Vest / Episode 6
42:11
42:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:11
Hossam Elsharkawi was three years old when the Red Cross brought him to safety following the outbreak of an armed conflict. It’s no wonder his life path led him to a career helping others. He earned a doctorate degree in public health and has spent his career working to care for others in dire and often dangerous situations around the world. Now Re…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Supporting children during conflicts or disasters
30:31
30:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:31
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Technical Advisor Ea Suzanne Akasha talks to Mozhdeh Ghasemiyani, psychosocial focal point at MSF Denmark, about how we can support children during conflicts or disasters.By The IFRC Psychosocial Centre
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Introducing the Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Emergencies micro-credential
11:03
11:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:03
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Head of MHPSS Technical Unit Sarah Harrison and Dr. Frédérique Vallières, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Trinity Centre of Global Health, introduce the Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Emergencies micro-credential. The course aims to equip learners with critical sk…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Breaking the mold on how to finance recovery and rebuilding after crisis - People in the Red Vest / Episode 5
33:31
33:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:31
In this episode: breaking the mold on the way humanitarian organizations finance recovery and rebuilding after crisis. We talk with Nena Stoiljkovic, IFRC’s Undersecretary General for Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization about new, innovative finance tools to help people and communities get back on their feet quickly after cr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Helping fellow refugees cope with the stress of conflict, migration and starting over - People in the Red Vest / Episode 4
33:34
33:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:34
Nataliia Korniienko knows firsthand the psychological and emotional stresses of conflict, migration and living as a refugee. In 2022, she was a mental health and psychosocial field officer for the ICRC when conflict finally forced her and her daughter to leave for Poland. Now her experience as a psychologist, former Ukrainian Red Cross technical ad…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Trine Rosa Larsen interviews MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton about memorials, what they are, and what are some of the things that should be considered when wanting to achieve a permanent memorial - because - what do you do when for instance family members want their loved ones t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bringing hope to the people of Afghanistan - People in the Red Vest / Episode 3
40:51
40:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:51
In this episode, we explore the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan with Homa Nader, Manager of Strategic Engagement and Partnership in the IFRC country office in Kabul. Four years of drought, economic sanctions and the legacy of conflict are just a few factors that have left some 34 million Afghans facing extreme hardship. We spoke with Hom…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Trine Rosa Larsen is warming up to October 10 (World Mental Health Day 2023) by interviewing three very different people who work with MHPSS and youth. Take a listen to Louise Graabæk (Danish Red Cross Youth), Paul Klahre (World Organisation of the Scout Movement), and Fouad Sayed Iss…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Planting hope amid the hunger - People in the Red Vest / Episode 2
41:06
41:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:06
A regional leader in the fight against food insecurity in Africa, Mahabub Maalim knows first-hand the impact that hunger has on people and communities. Growing up in eastern Kenya, he’s seen how cycles of drought, crop loss and hunger have become more frequent and more severe. He’s dedicated his life to helping communities develop local solutions a…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Jesper Guhle interviews Co-Chair for the IASC Reference Group for MHPSS in Emergencies Carmen Valle-Trabadelo about the linkage between Mental Health and Human Rights.By The IFRC Psychosocial Centre
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
From volunteer to humanitarian leader - People in the Red Vest / Episode 1
52:46
52:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:46
Jagan Chapagain was 14 years old when he joined the Nepal Red Cross as a volunteer. Now as Secretary General of the IFRC, he leads the world’s largest humanitarian volunteer network. In this debut episode, Chapagain talks about today's greatest humanitarian challenges and opportunities. He explains why humanitarians need to change the way they thin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
People in the Red Vest - People and stories that inform and inspire
0:48
0:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
0:48
Through all the great events of our times — from storms to earthquakes to conflict — the people of the Red Cross Red Crescent are there. Their emblems and Red Vests are symbols that help has arrived. Welcome to Season 2 of People in the Red Vest, a podcast brought to you by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Adviseer Arz Stephan interviews IFRC PS Centre Director Nana Wiedeman about the importance and challenges of caring for the carers. This podcast was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the IFRC Psychosocial Centre and do not necessarily reflect the views…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Creating access to mental health & psychosocial support across the continuum of care
12:26
12:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:26
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, PS Centre Project Officer Veronika Dietz interviews Dr Sarah Miller, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and the Program Coordinator in charge of MHPSS at ICRC, and Louise Kryger, psychologist and the MHPSS lead in the International Department of the Danish Red Cross. Sarah and Louise explain how access to m…
…
continue reading
In 2022, Danish Red Cross and IFRC jointly commissioned an external evaluation of the work of the PS Centre for the years 2015 to 2022. The evaluation reviewed the functions and activities of the PS Centre, seeking to highlight achievements as well as challenges in fulfilling its mandate. In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, mental health and …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How to ensure wellbeing for staff and volunteers
18:12
18:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:12
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Arz Stephan and Guleed Dualeh, MHPSS Technical Advisors with the PS Centre discuss the importance of and how to ensure wellbeing for Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers.By The IFRC Psychosocial Centre
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Eastern Africa
30:46
30:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:46
In this podcast of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer, Trine, interviews Guleed Dualeh, IFRC PS Centre MHPSS Technical Advisor for the African Region and the Psychological First Aid focal point on Guleed's recent trip to Kenya, where he sat down with Red Cross MHPSS focal points for Kenya and South Sudan, Dorcas Khasowa (KE) and Marcos T…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
One year into the conflict: The MHPSS needs of Ukrainians and the Red Cross response
37:44
37:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:44
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Communications Officer Jesper Guhle interviews Bethan McEvoy, MHPSS delegate for the Danish Red Cross in Ukraine, and Anna Didenko, Head of the MHPSS Unit in the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, about the MHPSS needs of Ukrainians and the Red Cross response one year into the Russia-Ukra…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support assessment in Ukraine
24:55
24:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:55
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Jesper Guhle interviews Sarah Harrison, Head of the MHPSS Technical Unit in the Psychosocial Centre, about her mental health and psychosocial support assessment in Ukraine. This episode of Heartbeat of Humanity was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Communications Officer Jesper Guhle explores how humanitarian actors can support the mental well-being of children in migration. Participating in the podcast: Orso Muneghina, head of the Global Programme Expert Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in SOS Children’s Villag…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Technical Advisor Ea Suzanne Akasha focus on the mental health and psychosocial needs in Afghanistan. Ea talks to MHPSS Technical Advisor Diana Rahimi about working in a marastoon, and Danish Red Cross MHPSS delegate Nives Vudric stationed in Kabul about the plans for scaling up the…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Basic Psychosocial Support across Sectors
20:36
20:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:36
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Communications Officer Jesper Guhle interviews Sarah Davidson, Head of Psychosocial & Mental Health at British Red Cross, and Sarah Harrison, Technical Team Lead in the IFRC Psychosocial Centre. Sarah and Sarah are co-leading one of the five working groups within the Red Cross Red C…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Advocating for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
16:55
16:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:55
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Project Assistant Veronika Dietz interviews Eva Svoboda, Deputy Director of International Law and Policy of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Eva is co-leading one of the five working groups within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement implementing the Movement's MHPSS com…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Suicide Prevention in The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
14:38
14:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:38
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, IFRC Psychosocial Centre Senior Communications Advisor Jesper Guhle interviews Technical Team Lead Sarah Harrison about how Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers can implement suicide prevention services in their programmes. In the podcast, a suicide prevention guide is mentioned. Find it here: https:…
…
continue reading
In this episode, Technical Advisor Sarah Harrison interviews MHPSS Advisor Pernille Hansen about community mental health care and the steps staff and volunteers in Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies can take to begin working with community mental health. Links WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) Podcast: Scalable Psychological Int…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Mental health of children and young adults
33:23
33:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:23
In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Ea Suzanne Akasha, Technical Advisor at the IFRC Psychosocial Centre, interviews professor Dr. Barbara Juen, technical manager of the psychosocial services at the Austrian Red Cross , and psychologist Vanessa Kulcar, about the mental health of children and young adults.…
…
continue reading
8 March is International Women's Day, a day we commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Technical Advisor Ea Suzanne Akasha focuses on violence against women and their children. According to new studies released by WHO, More than one in four women worldwide experience in…
…
continue reading