Behind the Call: Living with the psychological toll of war in Lebanon
For people in southern Lebanon, the war has not ended with the announcement of yet another so-called ceasefire. Fear, uncertainty and daily Israeli attacks continue to endanger people and weigh heavily on their mental health.
Leaving home means losing routines, livelihoods and a sense of stability, while the possibility of having to flee again remains a constant concern. Even with the announcement of yet another so-called ceasefire, Israeli attacks and demolitions in southern Lebanon continue, and the fear of what might happen next hangs in the air, almost as persistent as the buzz of Israeli drones overhead.
“I wasn’t sure if I was affected by the war, until people around me started to notice my anger, my irritability and suggested that I should get help,” said Lara, a 33-year-old mother from Saida. She described the challenge of dealing with her own distress while parenting: “How do I keep on working on myself while taking care of my children?”
When active shelling, destroyed infrastructure, displacement, and road hazards made travelling to physical clinics difficult, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) brought mental healthcare directly to people through a remote support service. Free tele-mental health proved that safety and psychological continuity can be a priority even when all facets of normal life come under fire.
For people who remain in areas affected by Israeli bombardment, there may be little space to process what they are experiencing while the threat itself continues.
“What we are seeing is that people are not only dealing with what is happening to them, but with the uncertainty of what might happen next,” said Yara Kassar, MSF mental health supervisor in southern Lebanon. “For people who have been displaced or remain in areas affected by attacks, there is often no real opportunity to feel safe, settle down and process what they have experienced. This has a profound impact on their mental health.”
Ali, a 37-year-old man from Arzay, stayed in his village because his family had nowhere else to go. During a psychological support session with MSF, he said he was tired of hearing the bombing when the sound of a low-flying Israeli aircraft interrupted his train of thoughts.
“There are warcrafts. I have to hang up. I’m packing my bag.” He ended the call to prepare to leave.
“I keep telling myself everything will be okay, but I don’t believe my own words anymore. Every night I wait for the next sound that will make us run again. I wish I could shut down my negative thinking.”
Amin, 33, was displaced from Beirut and described his resignation during a psychological support session with MSF psychologist over the phone.
Finding support when care is difficult to reach
With the 2 March escalation, Israeli bombardment raged across Lebanon, and displacement, insecurity, damaged infrastructure, financial hardship and unsafe roads all made accessing healthcare a daily challenge. People often prioritised the immediate needs of their families over their own mental health.
In response, MSF launched an emergency response across the country. Integrated into the response was a free and confidential mental health helpline, providing remote psychological support to people experiencing distress because of the war. It complements the broader response, which includes mobile medical and mental health teams, as well as face-to-face provision of care.
Since 2 March, the helpline has received 580 calls and provided psychological support to 421 individuals, alongside social support and referrals for specialised care.
“Through the helpline, we are able to provide compassionate listening and support, whether for mental health concerns, social needs, or referral to specialised services,” said Yara. “But a phone call cannot restore a destroyed home, end displacement or make an unsafe area secure. What it can do is provide a point of contact for people trying to cope with what they are experiencing.”
MSF in Lebanon
For those living through continued Israeli attacks and demolitions, mental health is not separate from the wider humanitarian crisis. It is a fundamental part of it. Mental health support in times of war is not optional. It is lifesaving emergency healthcare.
As needs evolve on the ground, MSF continues to adapt its response, remaining physically present through mobile clinics and hospital interventions, while also reaching people remotely through its mental health helpline. Because when the effects of war extend beyond what can be seen, care must reach people wherever they are.
