Culture, Context and the Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Syrians

This report aims to provide information on the sociocultural background of the Syrian population as well as cultural aspects of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing relevant to care and support. It is based on an extensive review of the available literature on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), within the context of the current armed conflict in Syria.

The document is primarily meant to inform mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) staff, such as: psychologists, psychosocial counsellors, social workers, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and others who are involved providing individual or group counselling, psychotherapy and/or psychiatric treatment for Syrians. Other humanitarian professionals, such as general health providers working with Syrians or staff involved in public health, community-based protection, community mobilisation, child protection, sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), may find this document useful, although it is not primarily written for them. The specific information in this review complements more generic guidance, such as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings and UNHCR’s Operational Guidance for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programming in Refugee Operations. Together with these guidelines, this report can inform the design and delivery of interventions to promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict and displacement, both within Syria and in countries hosting refugees from Syria

Suggested Citation:

Hassan, G, Kirmayer, LJ, MekkiBerrada A., Quosh, C., el Chammay, R., Deville-Stoetzel, J.B., Youssef, A., Jefee-Bahloul, H., Barkeel-Oteo, A., Coutts, A., Song, S. & Ventevogel, P. Culture, Context and the Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Syrians: A Review for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support staff working with Syrians Affected by Armed Conflict. Geneva: UNHCR, 2015

Related Resources

• Assessing Mental Health and Psychosocial Needs and Resources: Toolkit for Humanitarian Settings (WHO-UNHCR)
• How to Assess Mental Health and Psychosocial Needs and Resources in Emergency Settings - Webinar (WHO-UNHCR)
• Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC)
• Operational Guidance Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Programming for Refugee Operations (UNHCR)

Photo credit: © 2013 Serkan Çolak, Courtesy of Photoshare