No Peace of Mind, Médecins du Monde: The hidden impact of the occupation on Palestinian mental health
No Peace of Mind, a report published today by AIDA and Médecins du Monde, highlights the often hidden impact of more than half a century of occupation on the mental health of Palestinian communities
No Peace of Mind, mental health: the report
This impact on mental health is often the invisible factor that drives communities from their land, in gross violation of international law.
The report is based on interviews conducted in August and September 2021 with ten Area C communities in the West Bank and reveals that many Palestinians suffer from health problems that are symptomatic of various mental disorders such as trauma, depression and anxiety.
These disorders are caused by the violation of their rights, which is mainly manifested through settler violence, excessive use of force by Israeli security forces, confiscation of their land and demolition of their homes.
Specifically, 60% of respondents reported constant or severe headaches for at least a week following an incident.
At least 30% reported stomach aches and heartburn. Isolation and sleep disturbances were among the most common behavioural effects reported.
All categories of participants reported cognitive problems, including severe concentration difficulties, flashbacks, nightmares and memory loss.
No Peace of Mind: 80% of respondents reported feeling extreme fear and stress, and some explicitly admitted to fearing for their lives
The main aspirations that emerged from the interviews were a sense of security in their homes, stability and access to education.
However, almost 60% of the respondents stated that they could do nothing to protect their families when they were under attack from settlers and demolitions.
Twenty-three per cent of the respondents said they had no hope for the future or could not see their future.
“I just want to feel safe, but there is not a single safe place in the West Bank, neither north nor south… Where do you want me to feel safe?” said an elderly man from Al Jiftlik.
“Welfare is a rare thing for Palestinians. Their lives are stolen,’ said a social worker from Médecins du Monde.
“What is sometimes mistaken for resilience by outside observers is the necessary adaptation to a stressful environment, where violence is part of the ‘daily routine’ and acute stress has become the norm.
As a result, it is almost impossible for Palestinians to find balance and emotional stability.
One of the main factors holding back respect for Palestinian rights is the lack of cost for the Israeli authorities, which does not encourage them to stop violations of international law.
The impunity that settlers and the Israeli government have long enjoyed is a direct consequence of the inability of the international community and third states to engage and act seriously to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
This study is further evidence of the need for the humanitarian and development community to strengthen the coordination and holistic dimension of its approach to aid to Palestine based on the needs of the community, and to examine ways to understand and address the impact on mental health in all their work.
The international community must recognise that simply providing a community with the physical means to remain on its land is not in itself a safe or stable environment to protect civilians or preserve their mental health.
Sustainable development can only flourish if violations of international human rights and humanitarian law do not systematically hinder it.
Read Also:
Emergency Live Even More…Live: Download The New Free App Of Your Newspaper For IOS And Android
Saving Lives Despite The War: How The Ambulance System Works In Kiev (VIDEO)
War In Ukraine, Humanitarian Aid From Italy, Spain And Germany Arrived In Zaporizhia
Ukraine Emergency, The Italian Red Cross Returns To Lviv
UNICEF Transfers Ambulances To Eight Regions In Ukraine: 5 Are In Children’s Hospitals In Lviv
Caring For The Patient…Whoever He Or She May Be: Médecins Du Monde (MdM) Enters Emergency Expo