Heartbeat of Humanity
Heartbeat of Humanity is a podcast about mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). 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 Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub supporting the RCRC Movement by providing mental health, psychosocial support, and capacity-building initiatives. Hosted by the Danish Red Cross (DRC), the Hub is a collaborative partnership involving the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the DRC.
Heartbeat of Humanity
Mental health and online hate speech and prejudice after disasters
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Responders, representing relevant authorities and humanitarian actors, rely on online communication during and after disasters and emergencies - both as a tool to reach exposed populations, to organize and coordinate responses and to mobilize resources. However, disasters and emergencies also spark more problematic online attention and reactions including the targeting of marginalized populations.
IFRCs World Disaster Report 2026 featured a contribution from Yasin Duman, Research Specialist and Shona Whitton, Heading the Technical Team both representing the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub. The topic of the contribution was Online racism and mental health after disasters.
This podcast, moderated by Dr. Carmen Valle-Trabadelo, Head of the Communications, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Research Team in the MHPSS Hub, pics up some of the key-examples discussed in the contribution and links them to the broader discussion of the mental health implications, the causalities that generate them and the potential mitigation measures needed to address them.
For further information:
IFRC World Disaster Report, Contribution, Online racism and mental health after disasters. (page 49)
New Mexico Department of Justice, Press Release, New Mexico Department of Justice Wins Landmark Verdict Against Meta