An accident is an event whose occurrence is sudden, unexpected, and unpredictable. The mention of accidents, leaving alone their experience, is both pathological and traumatic. It brings some kind of psychological or mental illness that may or may not recover after a short while. This translates to the interpretation that the main victims of accidents are not the people who die instantly, but the people who are affected, and from then henceforth suffer from mental illnesses. Health deteriorates to a great deal during times of emergencies especially to the responders. Studies with nurses and health care personnel working at emergency departments support this. This explains is why it is recommendable that;people, who respond to assist causalities in an accident scene, should undergo therapy after the exercise. This therapy is psychological in nature.

The diversity of the peoples of the world, in relation to their culture, is a factor to consider in rethinking global mental health, especially when dealing with post-accident victims. The way the victims respond to these situations and accident varies. The situation of the victims, also affect the way these people are going to respond. Some people respond with minimal harm or distress when they are exposed to mass accidents or trauma. Other people show a chronicity of the effect that even exacerbates with an exposure to a new trauma or accident. Still other people do not show signs of distress at first, but with time they develop the effects and even become worse. A last group shows the signs of trauma instantly, but they recover quickly.

The diversity in the way people respond mentally to events of mass trauma can be employed to improve outcomes in caring for these victims. These diverse concepts can be applied by first understanding the group, and how the group responds, and featuring in the cultural factor. For example, psychological therapies to refugees of war have been seen to be effective when these people are given this therapy by people who understand them, and their culture better. Use advanced medical techniques at the expense of relating this therapy to culture has borne little fruit.