Armed conflicts and mental health: long

Omar Salih Rasheed coordinates the mental health and psychosocial support program of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), deployed in over 30 countries. A discreet face of the ICRC’s emergency response, this program is active in current crises affecting the Middle East, notably in Iran, Israel, and the occupied territories, Lebanon, Syria, as well as in forgotten crises like Yemen. Omar S. Rasheed was present in Bern on March 10, 2026, on the occasion of the national conference of the Support for Torture Victims network.

Omar S. Rasheed, what are the biggest challenges in mental health during armed conflicts like those in the Middle East?

In current wars, the extent of traumatic experience is enormous. The duration of crises prolongs the impact of trauma. This is not a theory, trauma is transmitted from generation to generation. The face of wars has changed. They are no longer fought solely between combatants but constantly within communities, with civilians as the primary victims. Supporting systems like family, community, are destroyed. And mental health, which is not as visible as water distribution, struggles to be prioritized.

Which population groups are most at risk of long-term psychological consequences during armed conflicts?

In prolonged conflicts, children are the most vulnerable. Their development is hindered. In the Al-Hol camp, in Northeast Syria, children have never seen anything else in their lives: no school, no playgrounds, only violence. Another highly vulnerable category of people are victims of sexual violence. This tactic of war to instill fear is increasingly common and people are afraid to speak out. Families of missing persons from the opposing camp in the conflict are also vulnerable. Often unsupported, they may not have heard from their loved ones for 30 or 40 years. But I could go on, the list is long!

“After the destruction caused by war, it is easier to rebuild buildings than (to bring back) humanity.”

Omar S. Rasheed, Coordinator SMSPS at the ICRC

What kind of psychosocial support does the ICRC provide?

It ranges from basic support, like awareness sessions within the community on what mental health is and how to access services, to specialized psychiatric care. Between these extremes, there is individual or group psychological support. We offer standardized interventions but also aids developed specifically for certain populations. Low-threshold psychosocial offers are very important in the contexts where we operate. They allow for task transfer because there are not enough mental health professionals.

Is continuity of care also ensured after conflicts?

The consequences of conflict persist long after its “end.” We remain in some countries for many years. We work with our partners, the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, governments, local organizations. The idea is to strengthen their capacity to meet the needs of the population, especially in post-conflict contexts where there is a “brain drain.”

How do your teams manage to provide support despite access limitations and security risks?

The ICRC’s neutrality allows it to be accepted by the different parties in the conflict. We do not take sides and are only there for human rights and international humanitarian law. This gives us privileged access to the local communities we support. The value of the ICRC is particularly important in contexts where other organizations do not have access. But this sometimes comes at a cost, including the loss or kidnapping of colleagues. That’s why we continue to invest in upholding international humanitarian law.