Lebanon is currently experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis along with regular political unrest, economic crisis, and humanitarian shocks. Following the drastic 2019 economic collapse, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, the high number of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and the Hezbollah-Israeli war in 2024, the demand for mental health support has remarkably increased, while institutional fragmentation and underinvestment in mental health are still present. Current estimates indicate that one in four Lebanese people suffers from a mental disorder; however, access to mental health services is limited and statistics indicate that treatment gaps are at 89%. This is exacerbated by the overreliance on privatized care, out-of-pocket payment, and stigma, where one is labelled as “crazy” if they seek mental health support. Cultural patterns of somatization further hide the true burden of mental illness. This chapter calls for urgent policy reform, including the integration of community-based psychosocial care to bridge the gap created by the lack of professionals, promote culturally competent service delivery, and increase government investment in the mental health services. Reducing stigma and increasing mental health literacy are also important steps to reduce the treatment gaps and facilitate access to available services.

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Psychosomatic and Mental Health Care in Lebanon

  • Jinan Abi Jumaa

摘要

Lebanon is currently experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis along with regular political unrest, economic crisis, and humanitarian shocks. Following the drastic 2019 economic collapse, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, the high number of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and the Hezbollah-Israeli war in 2024, the demand for mental health support has remarkably increased, while institutional fragmentation and underinvestment in mental health are still present. Current estimates indicate that one in four Lebanese people suffers from a mental disorder; however, access to mental health services is limited and statistics indicate that treatment gaps are at 89%. This is exacerbated by the overreliance on privatized care, out-of-pocket payment, and stigma, where one is labelled as “crazy” if they seek mental health support. Cultural patterns of somatization further hide the true burden of mental illness. This chapter calls for urgent policy reform, including the integration of community-based psychosocial care to bridge the gap created by the lack of professionals, promote culturally competent service delivery, and increase government investment in the mental health services. Reducing stigma and increasing mental health literacy are also important steps to reduce the treatment gaps and facilitate access to available services.