The deteriorating economic situation in Syria has deeply affected people, and a large percentage of the population is living below the poverty line. Families have been torn apart, and mental health conditions have worsened, leaving many vulnerable to depression, anxiety and more severe psychological disorders.
With the support of DAHW, a German nonprofit, International Medical Corps provides vital mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), along with services aimed at child protection and prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG), in some of the most severely affected areas, such as Hama and Dar’a. These services range from community awareness initiatives to focused, individualized support, including case management, psychological interventions, vocational training and recreational activities. These activities help those affected rebuild their lives and regain stability in an uncertain environment.
Nour (name changed to protect identity) is a married woman in her mid-30s living in Hama with her five children. Her husband is a daily wage worker who does not have a steady income. And he controls whatever little he earns, not letting Nour and her children access the money to meet their basic needs.
Nour often appeared sad and overwhelmed by the harsh circumstances she had endured. She had been forced into early marriage, dropping out of school against her will. She suffered emotional abuse from her husband and his family and went through severe psychological distress, manifesting in physical and psychological symptoms, including headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, neck and back pain, lack of focus, constant irritability, sleep difficulties, low self-confidence and violent tendencies toward her children. Over time, conflicts with her husband became frequent—escalating over minor issues—and her husband often publicly humiliated her before his family.
Another incident that made life difficult for Nour was when her 2-year-old daughter suffered third-degree burns on her right shoulder and chest when scalding hot water fell on her as Nour was busy with household chores. This led to ongoing blame from those around her, causing emotional distress and hopelessness.
I feel happy about the improvement in my relationship with my husband and children. We have started showing care and love for our kids and are striving to meet their needs.
Nour
After one of Nour’s relatives visited the family center of International Medical Corps, supported by DAHW, and benefited from one of its services, Nour visited the center seeking MHPSS support. There, our MHPSS Case Manager introduced her to all available services, focusing on case management principles, responsibilities and the confidentiality and privacy of the work.
The challenges Nour faced at home qualified her to receive both MHPSS and VAWG prevention services; however, after a consultation with Nour and an internal discussion, our teams agreed that Nour would benefit more from MHPSS case management. Thus, Nour started her journey toward recovery and emotional support.
Through active listening, she learned to identify her problems and process her emotions. We developed a safety plan to protect her from the devastating psychological effects of emotional abuse and provide her with emotional and psychological stability. Over five individual sessions, Nour expressed her need for appreciation and respect from her husband, relief from irritability and improved sleep quality. The MHPSS team introduced techniques for reducing stress and anxiety, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, and encouraged Nour to resume activities she enjoyed. We trained her in anger-management strategies, including withdrawing from anger-inducing situations, monitoring her emotions and journaling her thoughts.
With guidance and encouragement, Nour improved her awareness and emotional state. Role-playing exercises helped her develop problem-solving and decision-making skills while improving her self- confidence.
Regarding her sleep issues, the MHPSS Case Manager explained to Nour what might affect her sleep and advised her to avoid hot stimulants, refrain from daytime naps, regulate sleep and wake-up schedules and practice deep breathing exercises.
Nour’s commitment to following the care plan led to visible improvements in her relationship with her husband, fostering a more respectful and supportive environment at home. In the final session, she said, “I wouldn’t be lying if I said that I have now begun to feel that life still holds something beautiful, and that hope is not just a word or a prayer—it is a pursuit.”
At the end of her session, our team informed Nour of the availability of specific VAWG prevention services and how to access them in case of future issues with her husband.