On Feb 6, 2023, two major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7·8 and 7·6 hit our country, Türkiye, as well as Syria, causing severe destruction and representing the European region's worst natural disaster in terms of death toll in over a century. Despite Türkiye being prone to earthquakes, we were not prepared for this disaster, as noted by Turkish doctor Bulut Ezer.1 Little progress has been made in disaster planning since the devastating 7·6 magnitude İzmit earthquake in 1999. Inadequate disaster preparedness and responses have led to massive losses of life and population movement, eroding our country's social and economic fabric. This disaster is also taking a heavy toll on our health system and causing unprecedented public health needs, including mental health problems.
The trauma and stress associated with the İzmit earthquake had long-lasting negative effects on mental health, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health needs in the aftermath of natural disasters.2 Considering the current scale of the destruction and associated population movement, how the mental health needs of affected people is responded to is of utmost importance to determine the success of the recovery process of our community. On the basis of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee guidelines,3 we propose a multilayered and multisectoral comprehensive action plan to guide mental health and psychosocial support activities in response to the current emergency.