The magnitude and complexity of these mental health conditions caused by prolonged and extensive trauma requires a diagnosis fitting the unique context of the Syrian conflict. Over half a million people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, and more than 6.4 million are internally displaced with over 5 million living as refugees.
In its latest mental health report Human Devastation Syndrome: The Impact of Conflict on Mental Health, SAMS documents the multi-dimensional nature of mental health disorders afflicting Syrians, including accounts of refugee experiences from Eastern Ghouta, Idlib, and beyond. This qualitative report seeks to raise awareness about increasing mental health needs, while sharing personal stories of those who have been affected by the trauma of the conflict.
Read the Report Here
The report provides an inside look into the mental health situation for those impacted within Syrian and beyond, and provides recommendations for policymakers and donors to support programs which address these needs. SAMS has been one of the leading medical relief organizations working on the ground inside Syria and in neighboring countries that understands the importance of addressing the psychological and psychosocial needs of those affected by the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. SAMS operates a number of psychosocial support in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, providing 35,894 psychosocial services in 2017 alone. SAMS’ MHPSS programming is expanding to new locations, including Turkey where nearly 4 million refugees reside.
