In 2024, UOSSM USA launched the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Program in Gaza as part of its humanitarian response to the ongoing crisis. Implemented by UOSSM USA with funding support from UOSSM Canada and UOSSM USA’s private community donors, this initiative expanded access to essential mental health and psychosocial services for individuals and families affected by the humanitarian crisis, with a particular focus on supporting women and children.
The program was designed to provide comprehensive psychosocial support, individual and family case management, parenting support, Psychological First Aid (PFA), mental health helpline services, and community awareness activities. These services helped individuals and families cope with severe stress, displacement, grief, and other psychological impacts of the humanitarian emergency while strengthening community resilience.
During the initial phase of implementation, UOSSM USA’s team in Gaza provided direct MHPSS services while strengthening local capacity through staff training, supervision, and community-based support. This initiative formed an important part of UOSSM USA’s humanitarian health response in Gaza during 2024.
Watch the video below- an amazing success story of a young girl, Rama.
The MHPSS teams are targeting both locals and internally displaced persons (IDPs) including children, women, and men, who may have signs and symptoms of one or more mental health disorders. The project is also focusing on frontline health workers in Gaza including nurses and paramedics by providing capacity-building trainings on mental health related topics to increase their knowledge on detection and referrals of cases in need for mental health services.
Our MHPSS teams are providing the following:
- MHPSS Services-Group Awareness Raising Sessions
- Parenting Skills
- Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) Activities for Children – Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Training and Capacity Building
Our teams have already provided MHPSS services to over 2400 people – the majority are children and women!
Please donate today to help children in Gaza: https://secure.uossm.us/forms/gazarelief