Mental Health in Gaza: A Silent Crisis That Needs Urgent Attention

The people of Gaza are not only losing their homes, their loved ones, and their day-to-day lives — as mental health in Gaza continues to deteriorate under the weight of constant fear and trauma.

Because the war started in October 2023, over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 79,000 injured. But not receiving headlines in the back of the numbers is another crisis that is happening — Gaza’s mental health is in decline, and it is declining particularly for children.

What’s Happening to Mental Health in Gaza

As of 2025, Mental health in Gaza crisis is an unmitigated humanitarian catastrophe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.4 million, or roughly 22% of the population, are suffering from some kind of mental health disorder. More than 104,000 suffer from extreme psychological diseases such as chronic depression, acute anxiety, bipolar illness, and schizophrenia.

The reasons behind this mental health catastrophe are tragic but evident. More than a year of indiscriminate bombardment since conflict erupted in October 2023, and the Gaza Strip remains locked in a vicious cycle of violence, displacement, and bereavement. Thousands have lost family members, homes, and whatever security they may have had. There is perennial dread of bombardment, round-the-clock blockade, restricted access to mental health services, and hardly an inch of room for healing or recovery.

Children Are the Most Affected

Trauma is daily life for the children of Gaza, as mental health in Gaza continues to suffer.

4 in every 5 children in Gaza suffer from severe sadness, fear, or stress, according to reports. The majority of them are unable to sleep, speak, or eat regularly. There have even been some children who said they cannot imagine a future without war.

An example is Tahseen, age 12, who was in treatment for a neurological condition. The war interrupted his treatment. He was wounded later in an attack and worsened. His mother is doing all she can for him, but with no hospital, no gas, and no food — it’s a struggle every day.

Hospitals and Mental Health Services Are Gone

By 2025, Gaza’s mental health system has totally broken down. As of November 2023, when the sole psychiatric hospital, Al Nasr Hospital, was closed, thousands of individuals, including children, were denied access to basic mental health services. And now, even the desperate cannot get it: there is no means of getting there, fuel is depleted, medicines are too costly or not available, and there are no safe areas in Gaza. Traumatized women and children are experiencing unimaginable physical and psychological suffering—while the world is silent.

Stories of Strength and Survival

In spite of everything, the people of Gaza show incredible resilience, despite the mental health  in Gaza.

Tahseen’s mother, for instance, is benefited by Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Programme. Money that she used to spend on the treatment of her son is now being used to buy food, water, and other essential commodities. It’s not what she’d have wished for — but it’s stopping her family from starving to death.

She’s one of thousands facing an impossible choice — as mental health in Gaza continues to deteriorate.

Psychosocial Support Brings a Ray of Hope

Organizations are working hard on psychosocial activities to bring relief to the children of Gaza, offering relief in a situation of crisis. These activities, such as art therapy, face painting, group play sessions, and counseling workshops, have brought moments of peace and happiness to thousands of children. More than 52,000 children in shelters across Gaza have been offered emotional support to feel secure, voice themselves, and even smile, if only for a moment. These interventions are small compared to Gaza’s overwhelming mental health in Gaza disaster, but they are essential to protecting the hope of the most vulnerable.

This Is More Than a War. It’s a Mental Health Disaster.

The world is seeing destruction of homes and lives lost, but what about wounds to the soul that never heal? The kids and people of Gaza are suffering daily trauma that most of us can’t even begin to grasp. They’re battling silent wars with no counselor, no classroom, no rhythm, and no peace.

The Gaza mental health is in a state of crisis and needs to be addressed by an immediate international response, assistance, and intervention. The silent wounds of chronic fear and loss will take decades to recover from, and unless something is done, the psychological trauma may continue for generations.

You Can Help. Right Now.

There are thousands of kids in Gaza who are living in silence, enduring extraordinary emotional and physical struggles as the mental health in Gaza reaches a critical point.  But you can act today. Your contribution can go to assist in alleviating emergency needs of water and food, mental health access, psychosocial interventions for children, and other necessities like diapers and hygiene kits. Your donation can directly fund the struggle against the Gaza mental health crisis, quite possibly providing these children with the ability to heal and feel secure again.

Donate today to support children’s Mental Health in Gaza.

Together, we can make a difference for the people by supporting efforts to improve mental health in Gaza. Your donation will go directly towards Children’s Aid’s ongoing work in Gaza, where we are providing emergency food, clean water, and vital assistance to children who are in greatest need. We are also providing vital psychosocial care and support to help them heal from the trauma that they have suffered.

Click here to donate now.