Psychoanalytic Assistance in Crises and Emergencies Committee (PACE)

The protection of human health, life and dignity, as stated in Universal Declaration of Human Rights is fundamental to the healthy functioning of society, generating a containing environment in vulnerable situations and crises of all kinds, including armed conflicts, environmental catastrophes, pandemics and epidemics, and the displacement of millions of people.

The IPA committee on Psychoanalytic Assistance in Crises and Emergencies (PACE) offers psychoanalytic assistance and intervention to people and communities around the work that are in crisis and need. It does this by establishing links between psychoanalysis and related professions, government agencies and the general public.

 

 

What do we do?

Watch PACE Chair, Monica Cardenal, explain who we are and what we do.


Read our IPA Committee Mandate.

How do we work?

Our projects are varied and diverse. They include: 

• Compiling and reviewing literature and other resources
• Conducting and publishing interviews with experts to explore current emergencies
• Sharing experiences at IPA international conferences
 

Ongoing Projects

Ukraine: We have been working with analysts and psychotherapists in Ukraine since the outbreak of war in 2022.

Morocco: We have been collaborating with the High Atlas Foundation in Morocco since 2024 to provide psychological support to their staff members working with communities affected by the devastating earthquake in the region.
Mexico: In June 2026, IPA PACE Latin America began to work in close collaboration with Proyecto Áncora, an initiative of the Guadalajara Psychoanalytic Association (APG). 

Events

We organise and take part in many events. See our past and upcoming events here.

Our Team

Our members are all psychoanalysts, and come from all over the world, each bringing their specific experience to inform our work.

 

Join the Discussion

Subscribe to our listservs on Crisis and Emergencies or Health Crises here. Open to IPA Members and Candidates only. 

 

News

Read about our latest activities here.

Resources

Consult our bibliography of academic books and papers on relevant topics here.

 

The World in Crises

See a map of crises around the world, focusing on conflict and environmental disasters.

 

Past Projects

We respond to crises in many ways. Past projects have included:

• Support to those affected by the war in Ukraine with resources for clinicians, papers, webinars, podcasts and articles

• Podcasts on crisis
• Webinars on war, violence, trauma and refugees
• Support to psychoanalysts in Turkey following the 2023 earthquake