This Saturday 10th October marks World Mental Health Day. A day dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues around the world. To mobilise efforts in support of mental health.

Families in Gaza have suffered nearly three years of relentless Israeli bombardment, denial of aid and starvation as a weapon of war, since the war broke out in October 2023.  

This World Mental Health Day, we’re shedding light on the immense impact this has had on children’s mental health and what we are doing to help.

A grave reality

Gaza remains one of the most dangerous places on Earth to be a child. The United Nations (UN) reports that the equivalent of a classroom of children were killed in Gaza each day during the escalations over the last two years.

Those who survive are exposed to levels of trauma that will last them a lifetime.

Through our Palestine Emergency Appeal, Islamic Relief is working to provide psychosocial support to children across Gaza. Our teams are helping them process grief, cope with stress and reclaim parts of their childhood that have been stripped away since the beginning of the escalation.

Yasmeen’s story

At just 10 years old, Yasmeen has already experienced immense loss. Her father suffered a heart attack and died when she was just an infant. Since then, Yasmeen’s family has been living through daily explosions and displacement. She’s been forced to flee their family home and take shelter in a worn-out tent. 

During Israel’s assault on Gaza, Yasmeen suffered a serious injury to her right eye, which led to it being permanently damaged. She has been unable to return to school, both because there are no schools or temporary education centres operating nearby, and because her injury has left her feeling overwhelmed and self-conscious.

“I wish I had died rather than look like this,” Yasmeen says. 

“I tell myself it was my fate to be injured inside the tent that sheltered us.”

The psychological impact of violence

The trauma facing Gaza’s children will last a lifetime.

According to the United Nations, mental harm in Gaza ‘has become intergenerational. It is producing a distinctive “occupied psyche” in which the freedom to play, imagine, hope, and develop an identity has been eroded.’

This can be seen in Yasmeen, her mother, Heba, explains:

Heba was also injured, leaving her unable to walk long distances. While Ahmad one of Yasmeen’s brothers, also suffered a hand injury and can no longer carry or hold heavy items. The entire family has suffered.

“Still, I feel I was the one hit the hardest,” Yasmeen says.

“My appearance changed, my eye was damaged, and now I can’t stand seeing anyone. I even avoid sitting with my own family because my injury haunts me every moment.”

A helping hand to struggling families

With so many children in Gaza in need of support, Islamic Relief has significantly expanded our Orphan Sponsorship Program since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023.

From a pre-October 2023 number of 8,700, we now support more than 25,000 children in Gaza with vital humanitarian aid, including Yasmeen and her family.

The support has helped Yasmeen, Heba and the rest of their family.

“I thank everyone who supported us before and after the war,” Heba says.

For three decades, Islamic Relief has been supporting orphaned children in Gaza through sponsorship. Our Orphan Sponsorship Program is still one of the few remaining ways to get real support into the hands of struggling Palestinian families.

We provide a monthly stipend paid directly to the families. The money is unconditional, meaning families can use the money to buy the items they need most when they become available.

Heba uses the money to purchase food and heating materials for the family.

Islamic Relief’s psychosocial support

Through your generous donations, Islamic Relief is also providing vital psychosocial support to children and women in Gaza, helping them to cope with the impact of the escalation.

Since October 2023, we have provided psychosocial support for over 100,000 displaced children and over 500 women.

This includes fun and creative activities such as play therapy and creative expression (including art, music, dance and storytelling) that are designed to help children cope with stress and trauma, and family counselling sessions to help adults affected by grief and stress.