Syria’s ongoing civil war, compounded by natural disasters and deepening poverty, has triggered a mental health crisis of alarming proportions, particularly in the country’s northern regions. The effects of the war, which began in 2011, and the catastrophic earthquakes of February 2023, which killed over 55,000 people across Syria and Turkey, have left lasting psychological scars on survivors. Yet, despite the growing need for mental health support, funding for essential services remains woefully inadequate, with severe shortages in both treatment centers and trained mental health professionals.
The combined toll of conflict, economic crises, and displacement is wreaking havoc on the mental well-being of millions of Syrians. The number of suicide attempts and deaths is rising dramatically, a stark reflection of the intense psychological damage that people are enduring. According to Syrian Response Coordinators, the suicide rate has spiked in 2024, with 104 suicides and 87 attempts across the country. In northwest Syria alone, 37 suicides and 21 suicide attempts have been recorded so far this year, representing a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF).
Personal Stories of Trauma
Dalal, a 23-year-old woman displaced in a makeshift camp near Idlib, exemplifies the human toll of Syria’s conflict. She was severely injured when a missile fell near her, altering the course of her life. “I went from being a determined and optimistic young woman to a victim of war and psychological and physical illness,” she shares. Now, suffering from depression, Dalal describes her life as “hell,” isolating herself from others, and living in constant tension triggered by the sounds of shells and explosions that remind her of her trauma.
Another poignant story comes from Amer, a 41-year-old man who spent three years in a Syrian prison, enduring various forms of torture. The trauma of his experiences has left him deeply isolated, often escaping into sleep to numb the harshness of reality. “Even my dreams turned into nightmares,” he recalls, highlighting the ongoing psychological torment that continues long after physical wounds have healed.
For children, the psychological toll is equally devastating. M.S., an 8-year-old girl whose entire family perished in the 2023 earthquake, now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After being trapped under rubble for five hours, she experiences panic attacks and frequent episodes of screaming. “Since that day, she has been disconnected from reality,” her aunt explains, noting the profound impact that such trauma has had on her young niece.
The Strain on Mental Health Services
In addition to the personal stories of suffering, Syria’s mental health services are in dire straits. The long-running conflict has relegated mental health care to the back burner, with most resources allocated to emergency and physical health care. As a result, mental health services in Syria, particularly in the northwest, are critically underfunded and underdeveloped.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in northwest Syria, where millions have been displaced, mental health services are available in only four health facilities, and there are just two psychiatrists serving a population of 4.5 million. The region is home to an estimated 1 million people suffering from mental health disorders, yet the demand for treatment vastly exceeds the available supply.
Baraa Al-Juma, a mental health specialist with the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group, emphasizes that the ongoing conflict, displacement, injuries, and loss have intensified the prevalence of mental illnesses in the region. He advocates for early intervention to mitigate the worsening of conditions and to help people build psychological resilience. At-risk groups include displaced individuals, women, children, and frontline workers like rescue volunteers.
The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
One of the most significant barriers to mental health care in Syria is the pervasive social stigma surrounding mental illness. Many people do not recognize mental health issues as legitimate medical conditions that require treatment. As Al-Juma notes, the stigma prevents many individuals from seeking the help they need, and mental disorders are often mistakenly viewed as a sign of weakness rather than a medical issue requiring therapeutic intervention.
Despite the challenges, mental health professionals like Ayham Khattab, a psychiatrist with MSF, are working to provide psychological support. MSF is offering therapy sessions and activities for children to promote mental health and help break the stigma surrounding psychiatric treatment. One of the key goals of these sessions is to challenge the misconception that mental health issues are a sign of personal failure or weakness.
Funding Crisis Threatens Mental Health Services
Unfortunately, humanitarian support for mental health services in Syria is hindered by a major funding shortfall. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that only a quarter of the US$4.1 billion needed for the humanitarian response plan in northwest Syria has been raised. The health sector alone faces a funding gap of US$471 million, with just 10% of the required funding currently available. This shortfall threatens the continuation of essential health services, with mental health care expected to be deprioritized.
Thomas Balivet, MSF’s head of mission in northwest Syria, underscores the importance of mental health care in helping survivors recover from the horrors they have experienced. “People in northwest Syria have endured years of violence, displacement, and deprivation. They need the opportunity to heal not only from physical wounds but also from the deep, unseen psychological scars left by this crisis,” he says. Balivet argues that investing in mental health is not just about healing individuals, but also about fostering a more stable future for the region.
A Regional Crisis
Al-Juma also stresses that Syria is not the only country in the region facing such challenges. Mental health services in other conflict zones in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are similarly underfunded and overwhelmed, with millions of people facing ongoing trauma and limited access to care. This makes the case for greater regional investment in mental health services even more urgent.
The situation in Syria is a stark reminder that humanitarian crises have profound, long-term psychological consequences that need to be addressed. While emergency health services are vital, mental health care must be integrated into the broader response to the crisis, with sufficient resources allocated to ensure that people who have suffered so much can receive the care and support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
Conclusion
Syria’s mental health crisis is a silent but deadly consequence of the ongoing conflict and natural disasters that have ravaged the country. The psychological scars left on individuals, particularly those who have suffered trauma, displacement, and loss, require urgent attention and care. However, without adequate funding and resources, mental health services in Syria remain severely limited, leaving many without the help they desperately need. It is critical that the international community not only address the physical needs of Syrians but also invest in the mental health support necessary for long-term recovery and stability.
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