In the wake of the September 19th attack launched by Azerbaijan on various regions within Nagorno-Karabakh, an area traditionally inhabited by many ethnic Armenians but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, a ceasefire agreement was hastily brokered just 24 hours later. However, the swift military action displaced over 100,000 residents, prompting their movement to neighboring Armenia via the Lachin corridor. The corridor, which had been sealed off for the past 10 months, saw a significant influx of displaced individuals.
Beyond their immediate social and medical needs, this displaced population faces an urgent requirement for mental health support. Recognizing this, a medical team from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was swiftly deployed to the registration center in Goris, located in the southern Armenian province of Syunik, on September 28th.
Within days of their deployment, two MSF psychologists provided mental health consultations and psychological first aid to more than 200 individuals.
Narine Danielyan, MSF’s medical team leader in Goris, emphasized the enormity of the situation, stating, “We are dealing with people who have lost everything.” She outlined the comprehensive approach employed by the MSF team, which includes the gradual process of building trust, ensuring the overall well-being of those in acute distress, offering practical assistance, facilitating the reestablishment of social connections, providing coping strategies, and connecting individuals with additional necessary resources and care.
Upon engaging with these displaced individuals, the MSF teams found them physically exhausted, often weighed down by multiple bags. Many sought specific support or simply someone willing to lend an ear to their stories and concerns. Furthermore, the vast majority of those they encountered exhibited symptoms of mental health issues, including stress, an uncertain outlook for the future, shock, denial, fear, anger, grief, sleep disturbances, and even physical manifestations like stomach aches and headaches. These initial findings only scratch the surface of the long-term psychological suffering these individuals may endure.
Danielyan recounted an instance where a distressed woman repeatedly expressed her eagerness to return home immediately and pleaded for assistance from the MSF team. Such stories are all too common, as nearly everyone they engaged with conveyed the loss of a loved one or distant family member, leaving most individuals in a state of profound devastation and severe psychological distress.
The MSF mental health teams are committed to providing ongoing support, including follow-up sessions for those accommodated in hotels or centers near the reception point in Goris. Meanwhile, MSF remains actively involved in assessing the evolving needs of these displaced populations. The focus extends to broader healthcare issues, continuity of care for patients with non-communicable diseases, and addressing respiratory infections, among other healthcare challenges.
