Israeli War, Blockade Take Toll on Mental Health of Palestinian Children
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The ongoing Israeli offensive and blockade of Gaza are taking a severe toll on the mental health of Palestinian children, igniting global outrage.
The children of Gaza have endured a life marked by a partial Israeli blockade, poverty, and violence since birth, and their suffering is only intensifying.
Dr. Iman Farajallah, a psychologist in the United States, and Dr. Mamoun Mobayed, a psychiatrist in Qatar, have extensive experience researching and addressing childhood trauma. They shed light on the mental health effects of living in Gaza.
Living in the Gaza Strip has a profound impact on the mental health of children. Dr. Farajallah, who was born and raised in Gaza, knows firsthand the challenges of living under the "Israeli occupation." Her research last year revealed that 95 percent of children from Gaza displayed symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma due to witnessing the loss of family members and friends. The continuous traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and aggression become commonplace among these children.
The trauma extends beyond emotional distress. It affects children's everyday lives, hindering their education and causing malnourishment due to limited access to food. The constant presence of drones overhead disrupts their sleep, affecting their ability to concentrate, while traumatic elements creep into their playtime.
Some children adapt to the trauma with a lack of interest in everyday life, withdrawal, or antisocial behavior. Many children, such as a nine-year-old boy Dr. Farajallah encountered, display distressing behaviors like rushing to hide under their beds at the sound of a bomb. Nightmares and bed-wetting are common as well.
Dr. Mobayed emphasizes that people do not become immune to trauma, but they may reach a state of learned helplessness, a realization that their actions are ineffective and they are trapped. Transgenerational trauma becomes a pattern, perpetuating violence and despair.
The long-term consequences of this trauma are significant, affecting cognitive behavior and leading to more violence. Trauma becomes deeply ingrained and remains with individuals even as they grow older.
While psychology can help mitigate the harm and build resilience, the ultimate solution lies in a peaceful political resolution to address the broader issue of Palestine. The traumatic impact of Israeli war and blockade on Palestinian children is not something that can be undone but rather something that can be addressed, acknowledged, and hopefully, in time, overcome.