Lebanon expands mental health and psychosocial support services across shelters and care centers

Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayyed announced that the ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, local associations, and international organizations, is working to provide psychological and social support services inside development centers affiliated with the Ministry of Social Affairs and within shelter centers.

During a joint press conference with Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine, she confirmed that “psychological, moral, and social support activities are being provided in more than 410 displacement and shelter centers, as well as in 35 centers offering psychological support for women and children, in addition to 8 development service centers that serve as safe spaces for women.”

For his part, the Health Minister explained that the ministry operates a free hotline (1564) that receives calls related to psychological support and suicide prevention.

He noted that the number of calls received during the war period reached 3,182, with rapid and direct response provided.

Nassereddine also pointed out that 168 psychiatric cases were admitted to hospitals at the expense of the Ministry of Health, adding that nine hospitals fully cover hospitalization for mental health cases under the ministry’s funding.