Mental health is an important issue for every single person in the world. It’s even more critical for children as they grow up, develop, and learn. Now, imagine growing up in a warzone where you witness violence firsthand. What impact would that have on your mental health? This is what the children living in the Gaza Strip are subjected to every day.

The Palestinian territories (the Gaza Strip and the West Bank) have been in conflict with the State of Israel for generations over the land they both occupy. The conflict has often escalated into fighting and violence, becoming a full-on warzone. The violence has also disproportionately affected Palestinians living in the densely populated Gaza Strip, which is home to nearly 2 million people, 40% of which are children under the age of 14. With fighting, gunshots, aerial strikes, and bombings there come injuries, amputations, and death. Witnessing all of these things as a part of daily life takes a serious toll on Palestinian children’s mental health. 

Specifically, the conflict has led to increased levels of stress and anxiety in Palestinian children. They are suffering from losing loved ones, having their homes demolished, and having no sense of safety or security. Since access in and out of the Gaza Strip is controlled by Israel, it is difficult to get these children the proper help, like trained therapists and psychiatrists. Many families are left to deal with these issues on their own.

To help with the mental health crisis that children are facing in Gaza, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) has created the Gaza Pediatric Mental Health Initiativeto help provide group therapy, one-on-one therapy, medication support, summer camps, and other activities to assist in their treatment. Our humanitarian work has never been more important or time-sensitive due to the recent violence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.