GCMHP Marks World Mental Health Day with Scientific Symposium on Access to Mental Health Services in Emergencies

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group (MHPSS TWG), led by the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) and the Health and Community Return Association, with funding from the World Health Organization (WHO), organized a scientific symposium titled “Access to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services in Emergencies” at Al-Awda Hospital – Nuseirat.

The symposium featured five technical papers and discussions on strategies adopted by organizations in the mental health sector to improve and expand services during emergencies. It aimed to foster knowledge exchange, mutual learning, and documentation of institutional practices that enhance service quality and relevance. Challenges and innovative solutions were highlighted, emphasizing the importance of supporting frontline staff to ensure service continuity and effectiveness.

GCMHP presented a paper entitled “Adapting MHPSS Interventions During Emergencies in Gaza: Institutional Resilience and Innovation”, showcasing the program’s experience in sustaining mental health services throughout the conflict, demonstrating organizational flexibility and commitment to affected communities despite extreme challenges. The presentation emphasized that preparedness, staff care, and institutional flexibility are key to effective mental health responses in emergencies. Essential measures include adaptable emergency plans, clear decision-making mechanisms, budget flexibility, and operational independence in the field.

The program also recommended integrating MHPSS services into all humanitarian response sectors—including health, protection, and education—recognizing mental wellbeing as a life-saving component of humanitarian aid.

The workshop brought together local and international experts and organizations to discuss experiences, challenges, and alternatives in delivering mental health services in the Palestinian context, particularly in Gaza. A joint session was held with the MHPSSTWG in the West Bank to review and discuss recommendations from the Gaza workshop alongside findings from a parallel West Bank workshop. The session stressed the importance of interregional collaboration to strengthen and improve mental health interventions during emergencies and crises.