Syria: Responding to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Needs
At Amna, we are dedicated to providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to refugees and displaced communities affected by the Syrian crisis. As the political circumstances have changed, detained and tortured communities in Syria have been released, and many displaced Syrians are considering returning home, MHPSS is needed more than ever. Through training and capacity building, Amna addresses the psychological and emotional wounds caused by violence, conflict and displacement, supporting individuals and communities to rebuild their lives.
The Syrian Crisis: Current Context
The Syrian crisis, now in its 14th year, remains the largest displacement crisis globally, with over 12 million individuals forcibly displaced.
Since September 2024, the war in Lebanon has re-displaced tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, who were seeking safety in Lebanon, forcing many to risk returning to Syria and seek shelter in already overburdened areas in northeast and northwest Syria. Nearly 70% of Syria’s population—16.7 million people—now urgently require humanitarian assistance, many of whom require mental health support to address their stress and trauma.
The recent governance changes in Syria have provided many Syrians with enormous relief and hope, however considerable uncertainty about what will come next, and the enormous rebuilding task ahead remains. Survivors of the regime experience profound distress and trauma from the violence and harm. Psychological distress is pervasive, especially among children. Tens of thousands of detained and tortured Syrians have been released from prisons with no preparation and integration support. It is essential these detainees and their families receive appropriate MHPSS care.
Amna’s needs assessment to date has identified the extensive need for culturally relevant, trauma and identity informed MHPSS support to help address the psychological toll of the crisis. However insecurity and shortage of resources means the availability of mental health services remains severely limited.
Amna’s Response
Amna is actively conducting a needs assessment in collaboration with stakeholders in Syria to identify the most pressing requirements and the current capacity of local stakeholders. This foundational step ensures a targeted and sustainable response in alignment with the evolving context.
Key initiatives include:
1.Community Mental Health Training: Launching introductory MHPSS training in January and February 2025 to resource communities with foundational skills for trauma care.
2.Specialized Support: Transitioning from introductory training to advanced sessions focused on supporting detainees, children and families in crisis contexts. This includes training and reflective practice to integrate and sustain the skills learned.
3.Wellbeing and Reflective Practice Spaces: Establishing safe spaces for frontline practitioners providing MHPSS care to promote their wellbeing and ensure safe, effective service delivery.
4.Network Building: Continuously identifying key local players and potential partners to create a robust, collaborative support network.
5.Ongoing Monitoring: Providing weekly updates to adapt to the dynamic needs and ensure timely, context-sensitive responses.
6.Emergency Early Childhood Development (ECD) Training: Rolling out tailored ECD sessions for community actors selected through established local networks.
