The Red Crescent Organizes a Scientific Day on the Occasion of World Mental Health Day 2026

Ramallah - Afaq News - The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Department at the association organized a scientific day today in celebration of World Mental Health Day 2026, under the slogan: "Lived Experiences: Real Voices, Real Change," at its headquarters in Al-Bireh, with the participation of a group of specialists, academics, and workers in the field of mental health and psychosocial support.

The scientific day was inaugurated by Mr. Marwan Jilani, Vice President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, who emphasized the importance of mental health and psychosocial support in light of the difficult circumstances faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, along with the ongoing psychological and humanitarian pressures resulting from the practices of the occupation.

Jilani pointed out that building an effective and sustainable system for mental health and psychosocial support cannot be achieved without listening to the lived experiences of individuals, workers, and communities, and transforming these experiences from heard voices into knowledge and active participation that leads to the development of policies, services, and practices, resulting in real change.

He stressed that frontline workers and volunteers face high levels of stress and fatigue, making self-care a necessity and a professional, ethical, and institutional duty, especially in the most difficult circumstances, affirming that attention to the mental health of workers and volunteers is an essential part of protecting the quality of humanitarian services and ensuring their continuity and effectiveness.

The scientific day highlighted the importance of moving from listening to the experiences of individuals and communities to involving them in the development of policies, services, and practices, through five axes that addressed the lived experiences of workers, volunteers, and mental health service providers, and the role of field knowledge and academia in developing psychological responses in Palestine.

The scientific day included a number of research papers, the most prominent of which are:

• "Self-care as a professional duty and its impact on enhancing field resilience among workers and volunteers in the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Palestine and the diaspora," presented by Ms. Nivin Abdel Hadi from Gaza and Ms. Margaret Al-Ra'i from the West Bank. The research addressed the reality of self-care and resilience among staff and volunteers, covering Palestine and the Palestinian diaspora in Syria and Lebanon. The session was moderated by Dr. Said Shahada.

• "Voices from the front lines: mental health and the psychological and social experiences of volunteers and employees of the Red Cross and Red Crescent working in armed conflict contexts," presented by Mr. Arz Estephan, the technical advisor for mental health and psychosocial support at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The session was moderated by Ms. Rajiya Abu Suwi, the mental health officer at the World Health Organization.

• "When the service provider experiences the trauma themselves: lived experiences and shared and indirect trauma among mental health and psychosocial support service providers in Gaza," presented by Dr. Said Mohammed Al-Kahlout, a mental health specialist and professional/clinical supervisor in Gaza – British Palestinian Trauma Center. The session was moderated by Dr. Ibrahim Khamis.

• "From giving voice to acknowledging knowledge: academia and mental health experiences in Palestine," presented by Dr. Samah Saleh, a Palestinian academic and researcher. The session was moderated by Dr. Mohammed Barghouth, a clinical psychologist and professor at Bethlehem University.

The scientific day, which is supported by the Danish Red Cross, concluded with a discussion of the results, recommendations, and necessary changes at the level of policies, services, and practices, presented by the team from the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Department at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

Participants emphasized the importance of listening to the lived experiences of workers, volunteers, and providers of mental health and psychosocial support services, and utilizing these experiences to develop policies, services, and practices that enhance participation and lead to real change. It was also affirmed that self-care for frontline workers represents a professional, ethical, and institutional duty, and that protecting their mental health is an essential part of maintaining the quality and continuity of humanitarian services.