The Unprecedented Psychological Toll on Medical Professionals in Gaza: How MSF is Providing Critical Support Amidst Ongoing Violence

In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, medical professionals are facing an unprecedented level of psychological stress and exhaustion. These symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, depression, intrusive thoughts, emotional avoidance, and nightmares. According to MSF’s Mental Health Activity Manager in Gaza, Davide Musardo, the approach to mental health support for medical staff is different from that for patients. This is because they are more aware of the impact of their work on their mental wellbeing.

The support provided to staff is tailored to their experiences and includes psychological interventions as well as opportunities for them to express their feelings. Psychoeducation is a key component of the specialized services offered to medical professionals. However, providing this support remains challenging due to the ongoing violence in Gaza and the danger posed by safety concerns. The looming offensive on Rafah has added even more stress to an already tense situation.

Safety is crucial for providing effective psychological care and treatment, but in a place where even caregivers are not safe, building resilience and coping mechanisms becomes impossible. Local health authorities have reported a significant increase in casualties resulting from the recent conflict, including healthcare workers who were caught up in crossfire or targeted attacks. Unfortunately, five MSF colleagues were among those who lost their lives during this conflict. Despite these challenges, MSF continues to provide urgent mental health care to medical staff while also working towards expanding this support in Gaza.

In conclusion, it is clear that the mental health of medical professionals in Gaza is under threat due to the ongoing violence and danger posed by safety concerns. While MSF continues to provide critical support to these individuals through psychoeducation and other specialized services, there remains much work to be done in expanding this support and ensuring that healthcare workers can receive the care they need during times of crisis.

The ongoing violence in Gaza has led to a significant number of casualties among healthcare workers who have been caught up in crossfire or targeted attacks. Tragically five MSF colleagues lost their lives during this conflict while providing humanitarian aid. As such it’s important for us all