The mental health staff of MSF in Gaza has reported seeing symptoms of psychological stress and exhaustion among medical professionals, including anxiety, insomnia, depression, intrusive thoughts, emotional avoidance, and nightmares. These symptoms increase the risk of mental health issues in medical staff. Despite efforts to provide urgent mental health care to medical staff, much work remains to be done in expanding this support.
Davide Musardo, MSF Mental Health Activity Manager in Gaza, explains that the approach to mental health support for medical professionals is different from that for patients. Medical staff are more aware of the impact of their work and require specialized services tailored to their experiences. Psychoeducation is a key component of the specialized services offered to medical professionals.
The looming offensive on Rafah adds even more stress to an already tense situation. Safety is crucial for providing psychological support and treatment, but in a place where even caregivers are not safe, building resilience and coping mechanisms becomes impossible. Gaza is a dangerous environment with no one or nowhere being safe. According to local health authorities, the recent conflict has led to a significant number of casualties among healthcare workers including five MSF colleagues who tragically lost their lives.
