The ongoing crisis has severely impacted mental health in Gaza of its population, particularly affecting children and young people who make up 65% of residents. Even before recent events, studies indicated that over half of Gaza’s children experienced PTSD. The current situation, marked by displacement and loss, has intensified psychological trauma among the population of 2.1 million, of whom two-thirds are refugees.
Implications of mental health including anxiety, depression, and PTSD often go untreated due to multiple barriers: limited mental health resources, insufficient training among healthcare providers, and restrictions on humanitarian aid. This lack of treatment can have far-reaching consequences, affecting children’s educational outcomes, social development, and future employment prospects. The psychological effect of war and sense of hopelessness can make young people particularly vulnerable to negative influences, contributing to ongoing cycles of social instability.
Psychological Trauma Experienced by Children in Gaza
The psychological effect of war encompasses a complex web of traumatic experiences. Children in Gaza are exposed to continuous bombing and violence, witnessing the loss of parents and family members. The complete disruption of basic life necessities—including water, education, and safety—compounds their psychological suffering. The widespread destruction of homes, schools, and healthcare facilities has stripped away every sense of security and normalcy.
Impact of War on Children’s Mental Health
A recent needs assessment study conducted by the Community Training Centre for Crisis Management, supported by the War Child Alliance, reveals the impact of war on children. The research, which examined children with disabilities and those who are injured or unaccompanied, found an alarming 96% of children live in constant fear for their lives, with nearly half believing they will not survive the conflict. Children commonly display behavioral changes including aggression, withdrawal, and severe anxiety.
The study of 504 households also highlights the widespread displacement of families, with 88% having been forced to relocate multiple times – over a fifth moving six times or more. The economic toll is equally severe, with 80% of primary income earners now unemployed. Most families survive on less than €122 monthly while facing inflated prices for basic necessities due to restricted access to humanitarian supplies.
The Importance of Psychosocial Support and Interventions
Comprehensive psychosocial support is crucial for preventing long-term mental destruction. It represents more than treatment—it’s a lifeline that helps children rebuild their emotional worlds, restore hope, and recreate a sense of future possibility. By addressing trauma holistically, these interventions aim to support the community’s collective healing.
The PAMA-sponsored project with Juzoor (Welfare Association) demonstrates its importance through standardized shelter activities that prioritize psychosocial first aid, specifically identifying children at risk, and providing intervention therapy within the shelters. This comprehensive approach resulted in serving 3,071 individuals with mental health and psychosocial support in one month alone, with children making up approximately 60% of beneficiaries. Structured interventions help children cope with the ongoing crisis through group activities, demonstrating the importance of regular, sustained psychological care.
What makes this support particularly crucial is its integration into the broader healthcare system. The report from the implementation team in Gaza shows that psychosocial support is delivered alongside other vital health services through mobile health teams that include doctors, nurses, psychologists, and midwives. This integrated approach ensures that mental health in Gaza support isn’t treated as an afterthought but as a fundamental component of comprehensive healthcare delivery.
Gaza Community Mental Health Programs
PAMA and partner organizations are committed to supporting mental health for Gaza’s children through targeted initiatives. These include child trauma counseling, school-based mental health support, community resilience workshops, and trauma-informed care training for local healthcare providers.
PAMA sponsored programs by local Palestinian organizations in 2024. Mental health teams provided vital psychological support to over 1,700 children in Gaza across nine IDP shelters. Mental health professionals working within PAMA’s mobile health teams conducted psychological first aid activities and therapeutic interventions specifically designed for young people experiencing trauma. The interventions particularly focused on children at risk, with teams providing both immediate psychological support and referrals for additional care when needed. These services have become increasingly crucial as children in shelters face ongoing displacement and distress. Through organized weekly activities in each shelter, the psychological support teams worked to help children in Gaza process their experiences and build resilience.
Conclusion
The mental health crisis facing children in Gaza demands immediate, comprehensive, and compassionate global intervention. Each child represents a future that must be protected, nurtured, and given the opportunity to heal. A comprehensive approach to psychosocial support in Gaza demonstrates that mental healthcare is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity in crisis response. Through dedicated teams of healthcare professionals working across IDP shelters, mental health professionals continue to provide crucial mental health support and therapeutic interventions to thousands of children and families in Gaza. This vital work helps build resilience in young minds during extraordinarily challenging circumstances, laying the groundwork for better mental health outcomes despite ongoing adversity.
As the crisis continues, PAMA remains committed to maintaining these essential mental health services, recognizing that supporting children’s mental health today is crucial for building hope and stability for tomorrow.
Donate today to support PAMA’s initiatives for psychosocial support for children in Gaza
