Amidst the ongoing civil war and the aftermath of devastating natural disasters, northern Syria is facing a critical mental health crisis. The lack of funding for mental health services is exacerbating the situation, leading to a sharp increase in suicide rates and leaving many without the support they desperately need. This article delves into the depths of this crisis and the urgent need for international assistance.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, and the catastrophic earthquakes of February 2023 have left an indelible mark on the population. The scars of war and natural disaster run deep, with survivors grappling with the psychological aftermath. Economic crises, unemployment, and poverty further compound the situation, adding to the psychological burden.
According to Syrian Response Coordinators, there has been a significant rise in suicide rates this year, with 104 suicides and 87 suicide attempts recorded across the country. In northwest Syria alone, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières/MSF) has documented 37 suicide deaths and 21 suicide attempts, marking a 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The crisis is not just a series of statistics; it is a collection of individual tragedies. Amer, a 41-year-old man released from imprisonment by the Syrian regime, now lives with the haunting memories of torture. “I was subjected to all kinds of torture,” he recounts, detailing beatings, hangings, and burnings. His experience is not unique; many bear the psychological wounds of the conflict.
The war has left many, like 23-year-old Dalal, displaced and suffering from severe depression. “I live in my own hell, isolated from everyone,” she says, her life forever changed by a missile that fell close to her. Children, too, are not spared; many have grown up amidst ruins, experiencing terror and loss. Eight-year-old M.S., who lost her family in the 2023 earthquake, now suffers from panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Baraa Al-Juma, a mental health specialist with the Syrian Civil Defence, emphasizes the importance of early intervention to limit the aggravation of mental health conditions and promote psychological resilience. “Difficult living conditions, ongoing displacement, arrests, injuries, and loss are all factors that have increased the prevalence of mental illnesses,” he notes.
Al-Juma highlights the social stigma associated with mental illness, which prevents many from seeking help. Many do not recognize mental illnesses as medical conditions requiring therapeutic interventions.
The World Health Organization reports that mental health services in northwest Syria are extremely limited, available in only four health facilities, with only two psychiatrists to serve a population of 4.5 million. It estimates that nearly 1 million people suffer from some form of mental health disorder.
Humanitarian support to address Syria’s multiple crises faces a major funding deficit. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that only a quarter of the $4.1 billion needed for the humanitarian response plan in northwest Syria has been received this year. The health sector faces a funding gap of $471 million, with only around ten percent of needs met, according to MSF.
Conclusion
The mental health crisis in Syria is a stark reminder of the long-term effects of conflict and disaster. As the country grapples with rising suicide rates and a scarcity of resources, international investment in mental health is not just a moral imperative but a step towards a more stable future where people can heal from the deep psychological scars left by the crisis. The words of Thomas Balivet, MSF’s head of mission in northwest Syria, resonate: “Investing in mental health is an investment in a more stable future where people can regain their lives.”
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