Palestine - Mental Health
General objective:
Ensuring that vulnerable youth (boys, girls and young people) are protected from violence, have access to quality mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) are well-informed and empowered to participate in decision-making, and are actively engaged in their community.
Location
Palestine
West Bank and East Jerusalem
Beneficiaries
6,800
young people and health providers
Period
2024 - 2027
36 months
Context:
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rooted in territorial and identity claims since 1947, continues to weigh heavily on the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Occupied by Israel since 1967, these regions are marked by the continued expansion of Israeli settlements. This expansion, accompanied by forced evictions of Palestinian families, is heightening tensions between settlers and Palestinians, and limiting access to natural resources, arable land and markets, due to checkpoints, the separation wall and restrictions on movement.
Economic and social conditions are extremely precarious. Unemployment stands at 24%, particularly among young people and women, nearly 40% of whom are unemployed. Access to basic services such as health, education and drinking water remains limited. Recurrent violence, such as military raids, has a profound psychological impact on communities, particularly on children and young people, who are exposed to a constant environment of fear. Women and girls, who are particularly vulnerable, suffer gender-based violence and economic discrimination.
Since the attacks of October 7, 2023, followed by an escalation of tensions, the situation has deteriorated further. Families are living in increasing poverty, facing forced displacement, food shortages, and ongoing trauma. Young people, who are already marginalized, are particularly affected, losing hope for a stable future.
Project description:
This project aims to contribute to the protection of vulnerable boys and girls, young women and men, and their caregivers by increasing their access to quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services.
Specific objectives:
• Contributing to the protection of vulnerable boys and girls, young women and men, and their caregivers by increasing their access to quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services;
• Complementing professional mental health services through community-based interventions, such as community therapy sessions facilitated by trained professionals;
• Providing relevant information to ensure safe access to mental health and psychosocial activities and referral pathways to professional services;
• Building the capacity of service providers by developing protocols tailored specifically for the youth population and raising awareness among them about the importance of seeking mental health services through secure channels after experiencing traumatic events.
• Facilitating referrals to other multi-sectoral services, such as shelter, legal aid, and more, aligned with the national system.
• Fostering coordination to connect youth with employment opportunities and economic empowerment programs.
Key Themes:
Mental Health
Information
Protection
Project by CARE Belgium, commissioned by Enabel.
