Palestine:
Mental health
Mental Health Matters: Providing accessible support to vulnerable youth in Palestine
​
Project: CARE Belgium
Location: West Bank and East Jerusalem
​
Context:​
​​
​​The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rooted in territorial and identity claims since 1947, continues to weigh heavily on the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Occupied by Israel since 1967, these regions are marked by the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, particularly in Zone C, under Israeli control. This expansion, accompanied by forced evictions of Palestinian families, is heightening tensions between settlers and Palestinians, and limiting access to natural resources, arable land and markets, due to checkpoints, the separation wall and restrictions on movement.
​
Economic and social conditions are extremely precarious. Unemployment stands at 24%, particularly among young people and women, nearly 40% of whom are unemployed. Access to basic services such as health, education and drinking water remains limited. Recurrent violence, such as military raids, has a profound psychological impact on communities, particularly on children and young people, who are exposed to a constant environment of fear. Women and girls, who are particularly vulnerable, suffer gender-based violence and economic discrimination.
​
Since the attacks of October 7, 2023, followed by an escalation in tensions, the situation has deteriorated further. Families are living in increasing misery, facing forced displacement, lack of food and incessant trauma. Young people, already marginalized, are particularly affected, losing hope in a stable future.
General objective
The overall objective of this project is to ensure that vulnerable boys and girls, as well as young women and men, are protected from violence, have access to quality mental health and psychosocial support services, are well-informed and empowered to participate in decision-making, and are actively engaged in their community.
​​​​​​​​​
Period of execution: 7/02/2024 - 28/02/2027
​
Beneficiaries: 2000 young people
​
Main donor: Enabel
.png)
Specific objectives
The specific objective of this project is to contribute to the protection of vulnerable boys and girls, young women and men, and their caregivers by increasing their access to quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services.
Improving mental health and psychosocial services is crucial, with an emphasis on complementing professional mental health services through community-based interventions, such as community therapy sessions facilitated by trained professionals. The project prioritizes providing relevant information to ensure safe access to MHPSS activities and referral pathways to professional services. It also focuses on building the capacity of service providers by developing protocols tailored specifically for the youth population and raising awareness among young people about the importance of seeking MHPSS services through secure channels after experiencing traumatic events.
Support for caregivers—including parents, counselors, humanitarian workers, and MHPSS service providers—is an integral component of the project. Activities include home visits for youth unable to access services, provided through mobile MHPSS units. Additionally, the project ensures protection for young people, women, girls, and service providers by facilitating referrals to other multi-sectoral services, such as shelter, legal aid, and more, aligned with the national system. Holistic and community-based MHPSS services will be delivered to marginalized individuals in areas where such services are unavailable. Furthermore, the project will build on existing efforts by fostering coordination to connect youth with employment opportunities and economic empowerment programs.
The violence resulting from political instability, movement restrictions, settler attacks, and other forms of conflict is exerting immense pressure on the most vulnerable Palestinian communities in the West Bank (WB) and East Jerusalem. This is particularly acute in Area C, where Bedouin refugees face the risk of forced displacement, leading to traumatic consequences for children and youth. Political violence often mirrors social violence, such as school bullying, which is widespread and requires increased awareness and intervention. To address the gaps in services, this project will leverage CARE’s previous and ongoing work in over 50 localities across the WB and East Jerusalem.
Capacity-building activities will be conducted to enhance the quality of services for at least 1,000 MHPSS service providers. These activities will include training in detection, psychological first aid, referral pathways, and other protection mechanisms, using the tailored guidelines. Debriefing sessions for caregivers will also be implemented.
Support for MHPSS services will extend to schools, academic institutions, health centers, and youth centers, with referrals to specialized MHPSS services through clinical supervision. The project aims to improve access to professional MHPSS services for 2,000 youth, fostering their well-being through community activities such as focus groups, expressive arts, movement-based activities, voluntary community engagement, and educational support. It will also facilitate connections between youth and employment opportunities, encourage innovation, and provide additional support to enhance their future prospects.