Gaza's Mental Health Emergency: What It Means for Children, and How Care Can Reach Them
Gaza Mental Health Crisis Children PTSD Gaza Mental Health Emergency Psychosocial Therapy Mobile Medical Clinic Trauma Treatment Humanitarian Aid Mental Health Support Children's Mental Health Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Mental Health Services Al-Ihsan Foundation Emergency Medical Care

Gaza's Mental Health Emergency: What It Means for Children, and How Care Can Reach Them

All of Gaza's children need Psychosocial therapy. With hospitals overwhelmed and psychiatric services shattered, the crisis is deeper than ever. Learn how our mobile medical clinic brings support to children.

8 min read
Share

Key Takeaways

  • 2.1 million people trapped in Gaza with no functioning psychiatric facilities
  • 53.5% of children already had PTSD before the current escalation
  • 100% of youth and children are affected by the mental health crisis
  • Our Mobile Medical Clinics bring psychosocial care directly to families
  • Complete collapse of the mental health system requires immediate intervention

Children in Gaza are living with continuous traumatic stress

Access to mental health support is severely limited. With hospitals only partly functional and psychiatric care shattered, our Mobile Medical Clinics bring psychosocial care, follow-ups and family support to where people shelter.

"All of Gaza's children need mental-health and psychosocial support, a basic need for survival and future stability."

- Major child-rights agencies

An Entire Generation Living with Untreated Trauma

Gaza's children are facing a mental health catastrophe that demands our immediate attention. Before October 7, 2023, 53.5% of children in Gaza already suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, that number has doubled as 2.1 million live through relentless bombardment, forced displacement, and horrific loss. Over one million children's psychological development is being shaped by trauma, violence, and fear.

The numbers reveal a humanitarian emergency that is far beyond physical injury:

  • • 2.1 million people trapped in an area smaller than most cities
  • • 53.5% of children already had PTSD before the current escalation
  • • 100% affecting youth and children
  • • Zero functioning psychiatric facilities remain operational
  • • Complete collapse of the mental health system

Why The Health System In Gaza Can't Cope

Psychiatric services have been shattered, the only psychiatric hospital has been reported destroyed/out of service, and community services and medicines are severely disrupted. When aid is restricted or blocked by the occupying forces, children pay the price in both body and mind.

Mental Health Symptoms Gaza's Children Are Showing

These children's bodies are stuck on high alert because danger keeps returning.

When there's no time to recover, symptoms stack:

Sleep Issues

Nightmares, fear of the dark, startle responses

Regression

Bedwetting, loss of speech, clinginess

Mood/Behavior

Irritability, sadness, withdrawal, trouble concentrating

Body Symptoms

Headaches or stomach aches without a medical cause

Why Do Gaza's Children Face Continuous Traumatic Stress?

Because danger doesn't stop. When bombardment, displacement and loss keep returning, a child's body stays on high alert. Many experts describe this as continuous or chronic traumatic stress, not a one-off "post-trauma".

What that looks like in daily life:

Ongoing bombardment

The threat of attack never truly ends.

Constant displacement

Families move again and again, so safety never sticks.

Restricted movement

Children can't leave to find refuge elsewhere.

Resource scarcity

Food, water and medical care are uncertain or delayed.

Witnessing violence and destruction

Many see injury, death and ruined homes.

Family separation and loss

Parents, siblings and relatives are missing or far away.

When hospitals are only partly functional and psychiatric services are shattered, children don't get steady help, and symptoms build over time. That's why our Mobile Medical Clinic brings psychosocial first aid to the places families are sheltering.

How Our Mobile Medical Clinic Delivers This Support

Our Gaza Mobile Medical Clinic:
  • Brings basic psychological first aid to children and support for parents
  • Runs clinical check-ups for fever, dehydration and infections that increase anxiety
  • Schedules short, repeat follow-ups when possible (one visit helps; several help more)
  • Operates with local doctors and nurses and support workers, and much more

Why Must The Ummah Protect Children?

Because they are our children. We stand with the oppressed, show mercy, and act together as one body, healing their wounds and protecting their futures. When a child cannot sleep, the Ummah should not sleep. These are the sons and daughters of our community. Their pain is an amanah on our hearts.

"Righteousness is… to give wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans and the needy…"

- Qur'an 2:177

Righteousness is giving, relieving, and standing with those in hardship. That is what your support does. It brings simple coping tools to a frightened child and a clear plan to a tired parent. It says: you are not alone, your Ummah is with you.

Please Help Fund the Gaza Mobile Medical Clinic

Urgent Call to Action

Every child in Gaza needs mental health support. Your donation can make the difference between a child living with untreated trauma and one receiving the care they need to heal.

Please Help Fund the Gaza Mobile Medical Clinic

Donate Now

Together, we can bring hope and healing to Gaza's children. Your support matters more than ever.

Gaza's Mental Health Emergency: What It Means for Children, and How Care Can Reach Them - Alihsan.org.au Blog