Major Incidents, Pandemics and Mental Health: The Psychosocial Aspects of Health Emergencies, Incidents, Disasters and Disease Outbreaks. By Richard Williams. Cambridge University Press. 2024. £46.35 (pb). 482 pp. ISBN 978-1009011211.

This book explores the intricate relationship between large-scale emergencies and mental health.

Published in January 2024, it provides a uniquely timed analysis, when the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic is just beginning to recede from public memory, yet its effects are still being felt across all sectors. It covers both the psychological toll on affected populations and the unique challenges faced by healthcare professionals and emergency responders.

The text is divided into seven sections, each focusing on different aspects of crises, ranging from trauma care to the mental health impacts of pandemics, terrorism and natural disasters. The book's key strength lies in its interdisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from a variety of fields, and ensuring a wide-ranging approach to the recommendations it makes, as well as the evidence it references. It also includes practical guidelines for emergency planning and response, underscoring the need for integrating mental health considerations into disaster preparedness. The chapters cover various scenarios, from urban disasters to infectious disease outbreaks, offering real-world insights, case studies and rigorous research to support their claims.

The editors emphasise that mental health should be a core component of emergency response strategies. They convincingly argue that the psychological needs of both the public and those directly involved in emergency services have been historically overlooked, despite evidence showing the significant long-term impact of trauma from such incidents.

One of the standout features of the book is its focus on the mental health demands placed on first responders and healthcare workers. The editors and contributors highlight the immense stress and burnout these individuals face, especially during prolonged crises like pandemics. The book calls for systemic changes to provide better support systems for these professionals, which is a critical aspect often underemphasised in discussions on emergency management.

While it provides an extensive overview of various mental health challenges, there are a few features that may limit its accessibility to a wider audience. The language and depth of analysis are geared more towards professionals in the fields of disaster management, healthcare and mental health, rather than the general reader or policymakers without a specialised background. Additionally, some of the recommendations, while theoretically sound, would lend themselves well to more concrete implementation strategies or examples of successful models.

The heavy focus on Western contexts might limit the book's relevance in global discussions about mental health during emergencies. Although some chapters touch upon international crises, there is at times a noticeable lack of information regarding how cultural differences impact the psychosocial response to disasters, a topic increasingly recognised as critical in global health literature.

In summary, the book is a valuable contribution to the growing body of work on disaster preparedness and mental health. It serves as a robust resource for professionals in emergency planning and mental health fields, offering both theoretical insights and pragmatic practical guidelines supported by a wide evidence base.