During crises and conflict, people often focus on securing their basic needs: shelter, food, and physical safety.
But one crucial aspect is often neglected — mental health.
According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 5 people who have experienced major crises or conflict suffer from mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, double the rate found in the general population.
The American Psychiatric Association states:
“The psychological impacts of crises and war go beyond the geographic boundaries of the event.
They extend to affect individuals and communities across the world, even those not directly on the ground.”
Crisis leaves deep emotional imprints — it can begin with shock or numbness and progress to stress, anxiety, anger, or deep sadness. Common symptoms include:
Based on WHO, UNICEF, and mental health experts, here are some practical steps:
1. Maintain a daily routine:
Even the simplest habits — sleeping at a regular time, having a balanced meal — can offer a sense of stability in chaos.
2. Stay socially connected:
Don’t isolate yourself. Talking to someone you trust, even without solutions, helps reduce stress.
3. Limit exposure to news:
Constant updates can fuel anxiety. Allocate specific times for news and give yourself room for calm.
4. Stay physically active:
Light exercise, walking, or deep breathing can help restore psychological balance.
Seek help without hesitation:
If symptoms persist or worsen, reach out for professional support. Early intervention helps prevent escalation.
Children are profoundly affected, even when they can’t express their feelings clearly.
Signs may include:
• Tantrums or crying
• Trouble sleeping
• Bedwetting
• Excessive attachment to parents
• Unusual silence or withdrawal
Experts recommend:
• Listening to children with honesty and reassurance
• Maintaining routines as much as possible
• Encouraging expression through play, storytelling, or drawing
• Reducing exposure to distressing media
UNICEF emphasizes:
“Play is not a luxury for children…
It is a therapeutic necessity for restoring a sense of safety and stability.”
In the midst of these challenges, Jiwar emerged as a safe community space bringing people together around values of hope and solidarity.
Born from crisis, the initiative started with warm home gatherings titled “Azoumeh, Not on Zoom” — where open homes welcomed guests for discussion, care, and knowledge sharing.
These gatherings soon evolved into a broader framework under the name “My Community, My Home,” with dozens of sessions held across various towns.
They carried a clear, yet profound message: We are not alone.
Anxiety decreases when we listen to one another.
Inner peace can begin with a shared meal, a personal story, or an unspoken group embrace.
At Jiwar, we work to strengthen community resilience not only through initiatives but by building warm human networks that restore individuals’ sense of value and belonging.
Mental health is not a luxury in times of crisis; it is an essential part of survival and recovery. Just as we seek food and shelter, we need to seek peace, space, and supportive words.
At “Jiwar,” we believe that caring for oneself is not selfish—it is the foundation for caring for others. When we care for ourselves, we become more capable of standing by those we love and of building a community that is more resilient and compassionate.
Because we know that pain does not heal in silence, and fear does not leave us in loneliness, we have created small spaces together—spaces with warmth, simple conversations, and honest looks that say, “I am here… and you are not alone.”
And perhaps in these humble spaces, a new story begins—a story written with hope, not fear.
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