Lebanon - World Mental Health Day Package

The August 4 blast - which killed more than 190 people and injured over 7,000 - triggered for many residents in Beirut symptoms related to mental health disorders, or aggravated pre-existing symptoms.
Two months later, we continue to see the impact of trauma in our mental health consultations in Beirut with nearly two thirds of patients demonstrating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
A majority of patients say the blast was the direct cause of their distress, but others believe that the explosion exacerbated pre-existing psychological issues. The economic crisis, and to a lesser extent, the spread of COVID-19, are cited by patients as additional triggers of their mental health difficulties.
MSF psychologists have been offering mental health consultations in four fixed medical points in some of the neighborhoods affected by the explosion (Mar Mikhael, Karantina and Khandak Al Ghamik). A mobile team is also doing home visits to provide emotional support and mental health care (including psychiatric care) for people who are unable to leave their homes, either because they’re wounded, disabled, elderly, or scared to go outside.
Between August 10 and September 30, 180 people received MSF’s mental health support in Beirut.
Mental health is a key pillar for MSF in many of its areas of intervention in Lebanon.To help cover the gaps in mental health services in Lebanon, MSF is currently in discussions with the Lebanon National Mental Health Programme – which is part of the Ministry of Public Health – with the aim of integrating its support within their national plan and ensure a long-term strategy that meets the increase in needs.

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