Advocacy, Capacity strengthening, Emergencies

Responding to Lebanon’s mental health crisis: The Collaborative brings Nordic actors together for a critical dialogue with Dr. Rabih El Chammay

January 21, 2025

To address the current and future state of mental health systems in Lebanon post ceasefire, the Collaborative convened 39 organizations from 12 countries for an urgent dialogue with Dr. Rabih El Chammay, Head of Lebanon's National Mental Health Program.

Lebanon is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as months of intensifying bombardment have left devastating impacts across the nation. The scale of human suffering is staggering: Nearly one million people have been displaced from their homes, while the death toll has climbed to over 3,500, including 226 healthcare workers.

Despite a fragile ceasefire providing some opportunity to increase humanitarian aid, the demand for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services far exceeds available resources. To address this critical situation, the MHPSS Collaborative convened 39 organizations from 12 countries for an urgent dialogue with Dr. Rabih El Chammay, Head of Lebanon’s National Mental Health Program.

The meeting brought together representatives from NGOs, academic institutions, governments, and donors across the Nordic region. The goal was to explore how these stakeholders can support the current and future mental health needs of Lebanese communities, with a particular focus on children in crisis situations.

Leading experts from various organizations contributed their insights, including our Director Marie Dahl, Secretary General of Save the Children Denmark Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, Professor Wietse Tol from the University of Copenhagen, Carmen Valle-Trabadelo from IFRC, Fahmy Hanna, Co-Chair of the IASC RG for MHPSS, and reprasentatives from WHO and representatives from War Child, Danish Red Cross, NORWAC, IFRC PS Centre, and WHO.

The meeting was organized through a collaboration between the Nordic Network for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Fragile and Humanitarian Settings and the IASC Reference Group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies. A detailed report outlining key learnings and recommendations for action is currently in development.

This gathering represents a crucial step toward international cooperation in addressing Lebanon’s mental health crisis, highlighting both the urgent needs and the determined response of healthcare professionals and humanitarian organizations working in extremely challenging circumstances.