MHM Magazine

Issue 5 | 2021 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | 43 MHM FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WORK WITH US: VISIT: MSF .ORG.ZA/WORK-WITH-US Prioritising mental health support for Beirut’s most affected communities A week after the devastating blast that shook Beirut on 4th August 2020, our Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams provided emergency medical support to the people most impacted by the explosion. Our activities covered three main areas of intervention: wound care, continuity of care for chronic diseases patients, and mental healthcare for people affected by the explosion. As mental health is a key pillar of MSF’s work in the country, we were able to quickly mobilise a team of nine psychologists to lead our emergency response. They provided psychological first aid and developed a long-term response for people in need. After the civil war, economic crises and the recent financial and social hardships, this incident added an extra layer of trauma for the people of Lebanon. Based on our experience, we knew that this would have a tremendous impact on the psychological wellbeing of the people and will stay for years to come. That’s why a national mental health strategy needed to be put in place to manage the long-term psychological impacts of this crisis. Julien Raickman, Head of Mission in Lebanon © J u l i e R e m y / M S F © MSF