The Gaza Strip is currently grappling with an unprecedented mental health crisis, where daily life is overshadowed by widespread conflict, famine, and the relentless terrors of survival, pushing its residents to the brink of psychological endurance. This pervasive trauma has created an urgent demand for mental health support, often met by an overwhelmed and under-resourced community of dedicated professionals striving to offer solace amidst the chaos.
At the forefront of this humanitarian crisis are individuals like Dr. Bahzad al-Akhras, a child and adolescent psychiatrist whose clinic now exists wherever a moment of respite can be found: within the confines of a crowded shelter, during a brief walk through a yard, or shielded by a makeshift bedsheet strung between poles. This adaptability underscores the desperate measures taken to provide care, often in tented spaces amidst the dense sprawl of displaced populations in areas like Al-Mawasi.
Dr. Akhras, a victim of the conflict himself, having lost his home and been displaced multiple times, continues his crucial work, seeing up to fifty patients daily, with a significant focus on children. His dedication is a testament to the profound resilience of healthcare workers in Gaza, who operate without the luxury of traditional offices or adequate resources, facing personal hardship while simultaneously addressing the psychological trauma of others.
One poignant example of the profound impact of this conflict is a young girl, barely fourteen, who survived a strike that claimed her entire family. Waking up alone in an ICU, her repeated, heartbreaking question to Dr. Akhras – “Can you bring them back?” – encapsulates the deep-seated grief and helplessness experienced by countless children. In response, Akhras offers what he can: a pencil stub and a coloring book, hoping these simple tools might aid in expressing and processing unimaginable emotions.
With critical infrastructure severely compromised, mental health practitioners in Gaza rely on rudimentary yet vital tools, including psychosocial support, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and innovative coping strategies. They meticulously teach breathing exercises, emotional regulation techniques, and methods to manage intrusive thoughts, constantly adapting their approaches to the dire circumstances. Access to psychotropic medication for severe cases of depression or psychosis remains extremely limited, contingent on coordination with equally overwhelmed medical staff.
The daily reality for these professionals extends beyond patient care; it encompasses a struggle for their own survival and well-being. Dr. Akhras’s poignant revelation that professional support has dwindled to voice notes between colleagues asking, “Are you still alive?”, powerfully illustrates the personal peril and isolation faced by those committed to healing others in a conflict zone. This stark question highlights the extreme conditions under which they operate, emphasizing the constant threat to their lives and the lives of their families.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, making basic survival a daily gamble for its youngest residents who are deprived of safe access to food, water, and essential medical care. This desperate struggle for existence exacerbates the widespread psychological trauma, underscoring the critical and urgent need for international support and sustained mental health interventions to mitigate the devastating long-term effects on the population.
