GCMHP Conducts Group Psychosocial Support Session for Children in a Khan Younis Displacement Camp

As part of its ongoing efforts to support children affected by traumatic events, GCMHP held a group psychosocial support session targeting 20 children aged 6–17 in a displacement camp in Khan Younis.

The session aimed to enhance children’s sense of psychological and social safety, enable healthy emotional expression, and develop positive coping skills in response to ongoing stressors.

Activities conducted included:

1.   Welcome and Safety Building:

2.   The session began with an interactive ice-breaking activity to create a safe and comfortable environment and encourage positive engagement.

3.    “Safe Place” Activity:

4.     Children imagined a safe place and expressed it through drawing and verbal sharing, fostering internal security and reducing anxiety levels.

5.     “My Face Tells” Activity:

6.    Using cards representing different emotions (joy, sadness, fear, anger), children identified and expressed their current feelings, enhancing emotional awareness and safe expression.

7.     Physical Release Activity (“Storm and Calm”):

8.    Free movement followed by breathing exercises helped children release excess energy and learn to shift between activity and relaxation.

9.  “Positive Coping Skills ”Activity (Older Group):

10.   Adolescents discussed positive coping strategies for managing anxiety or anger, such as talking with friends, drawing, and listening to music.

11.   Breathing and Relaxation Exercises:

12.   The session concluded with deep breathing and focus exercises to calm the body and mind and promote self-regulation skills.

Educational materials were distributed to children, including simple guidance on managing anxiety and fear after traumatic events, and practical tips to enhance personal safety and family support.

Children actively participated in all activities, especially those involving play and drawing, showing gradual improvement in emotional expression. Some children were identified as needing follow-up individual support due to anxiety or withdrawal behaviors.

Overall, the session successfully reinforced a sense of safety, reduced psychological stress, and strengthened children’s skills in emotional expression and positive coping.