Manal al Hasan
WHO
Emergency room doctor in Jarablus, northern Syria and Kilis Refugee Camp, Turkey
“I used to be a general practitioner in Aleppo and had no background in treating psychological disorders. Thankfully, I was trained by mhGAP [WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme], because I apply this training every day in Kilis or Jarablus. Most of the time, patients come in for physical ailments, but I can see right away that they have psychological problems that need attention, and now I know what to do.
The Syrian refugees I treat often feel isolated, depressed and scared. Many are traumatized by what they left behind. They feel anxious and sick every time they see destruction and dying in the news, and can’t do anything for loved ones who have bombs dropping over their heads. In Jarablus, I see lots of patients with chronic illnesses, who were not able to access medications and medical care amid all the trauma, and so their conditions have become serious. But whatever the illness or disability, it’s often combined with neurosis and serious emotional distress.
They all need help, from people trained to help them. They all need to talk, and for women who will not talk to male doctors alone, they need females to talk to. We need many more psychosocial workers out there and I look forward to training and mentoring some of them.
