Mental health crisis in Syria deepens amid ongoing conflict
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A U.N. official said on Thursday that the prolonged conflict in Syria continues to inflict significant mental health damage on its population.
Via her official X Platform, Najat Rochdi, U.N. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria said, many Syrians, both within the country and displaced in neighboring countries like Lebanon, are grappling with severe trauma, anxiety, and psychological distress.
She added that the ongoing violence, coupled with displacement, has created a mental health crisis that is exacerbated by widespread stigma and a lack of trained professionals.
These barriers have made it difficult for those affected to access the care they desperately need, leaving them with long-lasting emotional scars, Rochdi noted.
The official indicated that the situation is particularly dire for displaced Syrians, who face repeated traumas that reopen old wounds, preventing them from recovering.
On World Mental Health Day, Rochdi said, advocates stress the urgent need to end violence and ensure that those affected receive proper mental health support.
Addressing this growing crisis is essential to helping the population heal from years of conflict, the U.N. official stressed.
World Mental Health Day, observed annually on Oct. 10, was established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health to raise awareness and promote education about mental health issues globally.
It aims to combat stigma, advocate for mental health care access, and highlight the importance of mental well-being.
Each year, the day focuses on a specific theme to address key challenges in the field, emphasizing the need for government policies, healthcare initiatives, and public support to ensure mental health is prioritized as part of overall health care.
Thousands of Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian families have been forced to flee Lebanon due to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, creating a surge of refugees seeking safety across the region.
On Oct 7, the UNHCR said that approximately 220,000 people, including both Lebanese and Syrians, are estimated to have crossed from Lebanon to Syria due to increasing violence.