Effective Mental Health Interventions in Humanitarian Settings

Mental health is a critical yet often under-resourced priority in humanitarian settings. As crises and displacement intensify, the psychological toll on affected communities grows deeper and more complex, eroding the foundations of individual well-being and human dignity.

This event features Columbia faculty and researchers whose work drives innovative, evidence-based approaches to supporting mental wellness amid conflict, migration, and disaster. By sharing insights from regional projects and field collaborations, panelists will explore how research can translate into real-world impact — spotlighting efforts to strengthen support for refugees, address the intergenerational effects of trauma, and reduce barriers to care. The virtual discussion will also examine emerging needs and gaps within the current geopolitical landscape, offering a forward-looking perspective on how academia can help build more responsive and enduring systems globally.

We invite you to join us for this online event, where Columbia faculty and researchers leading Columbia Global initiatives will present, in collaboration with Columbia Global Centers Amman + Istanbul and Columbia World Projects

Featured Speakers

Lena Verdeli (Moderator), Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and the Director of Clinical Training at Teachers College

Charles Branas, Gelman Professor of Epidemiology, chair of the Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health

Anindita Dasgupta, Assistant Professor of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health

Claire Greene, Assistant Professor of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health

Sarah Knuckey, Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann and Bernstein Clinical Professor of Human Rights, Columbia Law School