Panu Saaristo

Humanitarian leader | Strategic mind, action bias | Integrity-first | Health, climate, Europe | Narrative = power | Structure, clarity, results

[Panu Saaristo @saaristo]

Vital post from @BirgitteEbbesen.
Fires don’t just destroy homes — they erode mental health.
• 59% of youth feel extreme climate worry
• 45% say it disrupts daily life
• Responders often face grief, anxiety, trauma
• PTSD risk rises after wildfires
We owe them protection.

[Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen @BirgitteEbbesen]

A severe heatwave continues to sizzle Greece exacerbating wildfires.

Look at what is happening just outside of Athens. Fire has come dangerously close to houses forcing hundreds to evacuate.

Around the clock, @greekredcross volunteers are out there supporting the communities 🙏

[Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen @BirgitteEbbesen]

Take of today! Meeting the leadership of the Europe region Red Cross Red Crescent national societies; the grand #RCRC24 opening by 3 Presidents👌

IFRC General Assembly starts tomorrow.

[Xavier Castellanos @Xcastel]

To support the families of #volunteers and Staff from RedCross RedCrescent Societies who die in the line of duty, our President, Kate Forbes announced the launching of the Red Family Fund at the inauguration ceremony of the @ifrc General Assembly.

Everyone of our #volunteers and staff who died or where killed during their #humanitarian action generates a big pain in our heart and we hope that with this initiative we can honored them by supporting their families. We must #Protecthumanity.

[The Geneva Learning Foundation @DigitalScholarX]

📚 Just released: "Listening and Learning" report on supporting #children affected by the humanitarian crisis in #Ukraine #WorldMentalHealthDay
🔍 Peek inside: https://t.co/Ss9oFB75jw

🧠 Insights from education, social work, and health professionals
👥 Peer learning in action
💪 Empowering helpers

📖 Read the preface now for a glimpse into this groundbreaking study! #RedCross #MHPSS #UkraineSupport #PeerLearning

[RedCrossEU @RedCrossEU]

Our @IFRC_Europe colleague, Dr Panu Saaristo explains:

"Climate change isn’t just another crisis: it makes every other crisis worse. Poly-crises, where climate meet conflict and health emergencies, bring immense emotional tolls. They don't just destroy home, they destroy hope."

[RedCrossEU @RedCrossEU]

Our Red Cross delegation is at the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Mental Health and the Triple Planetary Crisis, organised by @HU24EU and @WHO_Europe.

We are here to highlight why mental health must be prioritised during emergencies caused by climate and environmental crises.

[RedCrossEU @RedCrossEU]

A healthy, supported workforce can better serve communities.

In Ukraine, the #EU4Health programme supports professionals with Psychological First Aid training to help children affected by the crisis.

Are you in health, education or social work?
Apply: https://t.co/QZgOXvKgAi

[RedCrossEU @RedCrossEU]

🧠Mental health at work is for ALL workers.

This #WorldMentalHealthDay, we are highlighting the urgent need to support all workers, including carers, humanitarian workers and first responders.

Let's make sure we protect those who protect humanity.

[Suomen Punainen Risti @PunainenRisti]

Nuorten mielententerveyden oireilu on lisääntynyt.
#mielenterveyspäivä
Katso ketjusta, miten autamme 👇

[The Geneva Learning Foundation @DigitalScholarX]

As the world marks #WorldMentalHealthDay, we are reminded of the pressing need for mental health support in regions affected by #conflict. One of the most vulnerable groups impacted by such crises is children. In #Ukraine, where the #humanitarian crisis continues to displace families and disrupt lives, the mental and emotional toll on children has been devastating.

Funded by the European Union's #EU4Health programme, the @ifrc with @DigitalScholarX are providing a Certificate peer learning programme on Psychological First Aid (PFA) in support of children affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine to professionals who are working to support these children.

Are you involved in health, education and social work?
Learn More and Apply: https://t.co/dBSkBv95KF

Read the Insights Report from the first programme cohort: https://t.co/KBHUsNUH82

#WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #PFA #ChildrensMentalHealth #UkraineCrisis #MentalHealthProfessionals #PeerLearning @terredeshommes @IFRC_PS_Centre

[IFRC @ifrc]

"The worst year for humanitarians" @IFRC Secretary General @jagan_chapagain presses for urgent action to protect humanitarians.

🎧Listen in to episode 3 of Season 3 of IFRC’s #PeopleInTheRedVest podcast.

https://t.co/1mAUGWTG3K

[IFRC @ifrc]

Mental health matters. Yet, it's often overlooked globally.

One billion people are struggling.

At @IFRC, we're on the ground every day, reaching out in every crisis. Thank you to all the Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers for their unwavering commitment and care.

Let’s not forget that they, too, are at high risk of mental health challenges from burnout and stigma.

On today's #WorldMentalHealthDay and every day, let’s prioritize supporting one another.

[Panu Saaristo @saaristo]

Really proud to have been part of the EU-WHO dialogue on mental health and environmental challenges yesterday! We explored how climate change affects our mental wellbeing and ways to build better mental health support into our emergency planning. Important conversations happened. 🌍🧠 #MentalHealth #ClimateAction #HU24EU

[Panu Saaristo @saaristo]

“Building community resilience is key to a stronger, safer future." @BirgitteEbbesen of @IFRC_Europe and @hans_kluge of @WHO_Europe discuss how local efforts can lead the way in preparedness 2.0 and response in this powerful op-ed. https://t.co/am8cTg5pOs

[IFRC Europe @IFRC_Europe]

Fires are burning across Greece and @GreekRedCross volunteers are there assisting with rescue and extinguishing operations.

This includes locating a missing woman last week who was suffering from heat exhaustion, and providing her first aid until the ambulance arrived 🚨

[Panu Saaristo @saaristo]

Turkish Red Crescent receives Global First Aid accreditation https://t.co/AT0TxYf0Be

Congratulations to colleagues in @RedCrescent ! First aid is for all and quality first aid is fundamental.

[Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen @BirgitteEbbesen]

🌡️ Never underestimate the impact of extreme heat on human health.

As a heatwave has hit Greece, the @greekredcross has mobilized to support 2,000 people most vulnerable to heat stress with around 64,000 Swiss Francs from the @IFRC_DREF.

This work is truly life-saving.

[Stella Kyriakides @SKyriakidesEU]

I welcome the agreement on stronger global health security rules.

It delivers key goals of the 🇪🇺 Global Health Strategy as part of a strong #EUHealthUnion.

It secures stronger provisions and accountability for 🌍 cooperation to tackle health threats.

https://t.co/FVByOKLTUm

[Dr. Davron Mukhamadiev @davronmukhammad]

Mental Health and Psychosocial support one of the main priorities of @AzRedCrescent . Series of the education and awareness sessions for schoolchildren organised with @IFRC support in different regions of Azerbaijan.
Thanks to @EuropeanCommiss for support of #EUBridge project.

[IFRC @ifrc]

"Flooding and hurricanes may capture the headlines but the impacts of extreme heat are equally deadly."
— @jagan_chapagain via @FRANCE24.

A new report revealed that climate change added an average of 26 days of extreme heat over last year. https://t.co/2GPiDK9gct