Mental Health in Humanitarian Spaces with Weanne Estrada

When we think of people that are fleeing conflict or being displaced by natural disasters, we rightly think about food, water and shelter as critical basic needs, but do we consider the psychological trauma that these populations have just undergone? How does mental health support factor into our relief responses? In this episode, we explore the critical role of mental health in humanitarian work with Weanne Estrada from the Adventist Relief and Development Agency. We discuss how mental health support can be integrated into disaster relief, refugee assistance, and community development, emphasizing culturally sensitive approaches and sustainable strategies.

Subscribe to Our New YouTube Channel

Conversation Notes (AI Generated)

  • 02:20 Weanne Estrada’s background and motivation for humanitarian work
  • 05:19 Refugee communities in the Philippines and their self-built systems
  • 09:13 The importance of mental health in disaster response
  • 12:22 Psychological first aid: what it is and how to do it
  • 17:16 Measuring mental health in humanitarian settings
  • 21:04 Sustainable mental health support and task shifting
  • 25:14 Cultural sensitivity in mental health interventions
  • 29:23 The role of churches in mental health support
  • 37:48 ADRA’s current projects and global engagement in Yemen, Myanmar, Sudan and Venezuela
  • 41:00 Advice for those pursuing God’s justice in nations

Podcast Sponsors

Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year’s OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code “Global” for Discount

Register for OneAccord 2026

The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today’s world.

Learn More About MAGDJ

Resources and Links From The Show

Adventist Development and Relief Agency Online

Kaya Connect

Psychological First Aid Training from NCTSN

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Published by Brandon Stiver

Follower of Christ. Husband to Melissa. Father to Moses, Promise, Shepherd and Bishop. Passionately pursuing progress, justice and peace in the nations. Principal at Canopy International. Podcaster at Think Global, Do Justice. Based in Tacoma, WA with roots in Southern California and Northern Tanzania.