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| UKPALMHN Solidarity Space Next meeting: Monday 24 February at 1pm (UK time) This is an open space where people exchange their emotional responses with a view to remaining resilient amidst a constant stream of distressing news. Please contact ukpalmhn@gmail.com if you would like a link to this meeting. You may want to look at this short video before the meeting #SickFromGenocide https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEgQGsBM304/?igsh=YWI2NHN6cWR4MDFm Interview with UKPALMHN Steering Group member at the National March for Palestine on Saturday “People talk about PTSD. There’s nothing post traumatic about it. It is ongoing trauma.” David Harrold from the UK Palestine Mental Health Network says every child in Gaza has experienced death — whether it’s losing family, smelling death, or witnessing destruction. Speaking at a large pro-Palestine rally in London, Harrold called for an end to the suffering in Gaza, urging global solidarity. He says mental health workers are fighting to restore even a glimpse of childhood to those forced to grow up too soon, and become adults at a young age. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6sPmhBqECg Dr. Lara Sheehi cleared of baseless allegations fabricated against her Full report: https://adc.org/adc-statement-on-dr-lara-sheehi-cleared-of-baseless-allegations-fabricated-by-standwithus/ The UK-Palestine Mental Health Network are delighted to announce that our colleague Lara Sheehi has been completely cleared of all the allegations against her by the pro Zionist organisation StandWithUs. Lara is a member of the Palestine Global and Lebanon Mental Health networks and has been a great friend and comrade to our UK network, convening and participating in several Cafe Palestines. She is a psychoanalyst and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Doha Institute. She is co-author with Stephen Sheehi of Psychoanalysis Under Occupation: Practicing Resistance in Palestine. https://www.routledge.com/Psychoanalysis-Under-Occupation-Practicing-Resistance-in-Palestine/Sheehi-Sheehi/p/book/9781032078694 Following last week’s announcement of two NHS employees’ victories over their Trust (we posted this article in last week’s newsletter), we know how important it is that attempts such as these to silence pro Palestinian dissent are challenged. However we also know what an extremely painful personal cost these actions and counter- actions exact from those accused. We reach out in solidarity and will always offer our support to anyone suffering similar acts of silencing. UKPALMHN and PTC(UK) submission to Foreign Affairs Committee’s inquiry into The Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UK-Palestine Mental Health Network and the Palestine Trauma Centre (UK) made a joint submission to the UK Foreign Affairs Committee. The Committee accepted the submission and it has now been published on the Parliament website along with other submissions. UKPALMHN and PTC(UK) submission: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/133355/html/ All submissions: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8676/the-israelipalestinian-conflict/publications/ Effects of Israeli Occupation on Mental Health and Well-being in East Jerusalem & West Bank Source: War Child Publication Date: February 2025 Description: The report analyses the impact of the Israeli occupation on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, highlighting increased instances of trauma, stress, and developmental issues. https://www.warchild.net/documents/345/Effects_of_Israeli_Occupation_on_Mental_Health_Wellbeing_in_East_Jerusalem__West_Bank.pdf Challenging Mental Health Assumptions in the Palestinian Context A PhD dissertation (available through open access via the link below) that explores the psychological impact of prolonged conflict and occupation on Palestinian communities, emphasising the role of colonial violence in shaping mental health outcomes. It critically examines the intersection of trauma and resistance, assessing how decolonisation frameworks can inform more effective, culturally responsive mental health interventions. The study advocates for mental health services that not only address PTSD, depression, and anxiety but also actively engage in decolonial practices to empower Palestinian individuals and communities. https://boa.unimib.it/handle/10281/539321 Mental Health Rehabilitation in Gaza: A systematic review addressing the impact of ongoing war and conflict on access to, and challenges of, rehabilitation Source: Cambridge University Press Date: 14 February 2025 The ongoing conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has severely disrupted mental health services, worsening PTSD, anxiety, and depression among residents. A systematic review of eight studies identified major barriers, including damaged healthcare infrastructure, a shortage of trained professionals, and economic hardships. The study highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions to improve access to mental health care and rebuild trust within the community for long-term recovery. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/mental-health-rehabilitation-in-gaza-addressing-the-impact-of-ongoing-war-conflict-on-access-and-challenges-a-systematic-review/55B20061AEC082698013ECE94595EDB9 Human rights are not a ‘loophole’ – why can’t families from Gaza like mine seek safety in the UK? By Ghassan Ghaben When another Palestinian family was allowed to stay here, I saw a glimmer of hope. Now the prime minister wants to put it out https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/17/gaza-families-right-to-safety-in-uk BBC2 Documentary: “Gaza: how to survive a warzone” Available on iPlayerThis programme opens with the caption “On October 7th 2023 Hamas attacked Israel. They killed around 1200 people and took 251 hostages.” And then: “Israel immediately declared war on Hamas in Gaza”. We consider this a woefully inadequate attempt to frame the subsequent footage of a genocide in progress (a word never heard in the programme). Despite this, the film is essential viewing, following several Palestinian children as they cope with and respond to the horrors unfolding around them. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00285w7/gaza-how-to-survive-a-warzone EVENTS There are FIVE inspiring events related to Palestine and mental health in the seven days from Wednesday 19 February that are listed on our Events page: https://ukpalmhn.com/events/ ACTIONSOur Featured Action is available below and also on our dedicated Actions page together with a range of other current actions https://ukpalmhn.com/gaza-crisis/ How to keep defending Palestine after the ceasefire From Dr. Samah Jabr, Former Head of Mental Health Unit, Palestinian Ministry of Health The fight for justice in Palestine doesn’t end with a ceasefire—it only shifts its form. Here’s how we can continue: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/samah-jabr-25509883_how-to-keep-defending-palestine-after-the-activity-7285238091311714304-Sy5a FEATURED ACTION – NO CHILD A TARGET As the humanitarian crisis in Palestine continues, the plight of Palestinian children remains dire. The #NoChildATarget campaign, led by the Palestine-Global Mental Health Network, is intensifying its efforts to safeguard these vulnerable young lives. The daily reality faced by Palestinian children under occupation Find the latest stories on the No Child A Target visit the campaign page on Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGJWS7ipi1K/?img_index=1 Defense for Children International – Palestine film premiere Tuesday 25 February at 5pm (UK time) Through a Child’s Eyes: Genocide of the Palestinian People in Gaza is a powerful documentary bringing together first-hand testimonies from Palestinian children alongside footage capturing their reality. Their stories lay bare the devastating impact of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people—seen through the eyes of its youngest survivors. https://www.dci-palestine.org/through_a_childs_eyes_premiere Expanded Petition Demands Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the petition https://www.change.org/p/nochildatarget (which as of February 17, has gathered 504,858 signatures) now calls upon U.S. lawmakers and global leaders to uphold international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Palestine-Global Mental Health Network demands an end to financial, military, and diplomatic support for Israel’s human rights abuses against Palestinian children. Your voice is crucial in amplifying this message. [Please note any donations made via the Change.org website go directly to Change.org and not to the #NoChildATarget campaign or the Palestine-Global Mental Health Network.] How You Can Make a Difference Your support is vital. Here are actionable steps you can take: Sign the Petition: Add your name to the #NoChildATarget petition and stand in solidarity with Palestinian children. https://www.change.org/p/nochildatarget Follow and Share: Stay informed by following our Instagram account @no_child_a_target. Share our posts to raise awareness. https://www.instagram.com/no_child_a_target/ Amplify Our Message: Copy and share this message with ten people in your network. Collective action can lead to meaningful change. (Follow this link) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xJfHRYGSu9X7i_bnRhtSesrv9doJiLv17iK1vAlVEns/edit?tab=t.0 (For those based in the U.S.A.) Contact U.S. Lawmakers: Urge your representatives to take a stand against ongoing human rights violations. https://doctorsagainstgenocide.org/no-child-a-target Together, we can advocate for a future where no child is a target. Thank you for your unwavering support. #NoChildATarget BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS (BDS)A founding aim of the UK-Palestine Mental Health Network is to “encourage our colleagues individually and collectively to consider their response to the Palestinian call for boycott, sanctions and divestment (BDS).”  From the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement https://bdsmovement.net/Guide-to-BDS-Boycott The UK-Palestine Mental Health Network is one of 24 national mental health networks working under the umbrella of the Palestinian-led Palestine-Global Mental Health Network.  Palestine, Algeria, Australia, Canada Chile Belgium, Brasil Egypt France Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, Tunisia, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States |
الشبكة البريطانية الفلسطينية للصحة النفسية 