Mental health protocol in crisis situations: A proposal for universities based on a documentary review.

Abstract

Crises, whether sanitary, social, or caused by natural disasters, generate a significant impact on the mental health of communities. In the university context, where students, faculty, and administrative staff converge, addressing emotional well-being is a priority to ensure academic continuity and adaptation to adverse scenarios. This article presents a protocol for mental health care and attention in crisis situations within the university community. The methodology consisted of a documentary review of national and international guidelines on mental health in emergencies and the adaptation of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC, 2009) pyramid of psychosocial interventions to the educational context. As a result, a protocol structured into four levels is proposed: psychoeducation, psychological first aid, crisis intervention, and specialized psychological intervention. The discussion highlights the relevance of institutionalized protocols that enable rapid and coordinated responses to different types of crises. It is concluded that the establishment of mental health protocols strengthens institutional resilience and contributes to the comprehensive protection of the university community.