PRCS Convenes a Conference on “Mental Health Without Borders: Challenging Barriers and Taking Down Walls”

(Al-Bireh - 2/11/2019):  In cooperation with the Gaza Community Mental Health Program and UMASS Boston, PRCS convened a conference on Mental Health Without Borders: Challenging Barriers and Taking Down Walls. The Conference, which took place simultaneously in Palestine (Gaza and Al-Bireh) and the US (Boston) via videoconferencing technology, generated transnational dialogues on community mental health in Palestine.

It explored and reflected on meanings and pathways for creating knowledge and critical community mental health practices in Palestinian contexts.

In his opening address, Dr. Al Khatib said the Conference reflected the approach adopted by PRCS to build community resilience, including mental resilience, in Palestinian contexts. “PRCS’ teams, especially in the Gaza Strip, endeavor to build resilience through a variety of programs, mainly in the field of Psychological First Aid as well as individual and collective counseling. PRCS also seeks to professionalize its psychosocial interventions both locally and in the region by taking part in training courses and assisting in disaster response efforts including in refugee camps in Iraq, along the Tunisian borders, and in Greece”, he added.

The Conference, which focused on mental health in a colonial context, is internationally applicable to the work of psychologists, clinicians, social workers, psychiatrists, community organizers, activists, policymakers and researchers who are interested in calling into question psychological theories and practices. It is the fruit of effective cooperation between those working in the psychological field both inside and outside Palestine.

The Conference was broken into three sessions and discussed an array of issues including trauma and resilience under occupation, the proactive role of mental health providers, transnational solidarity, diverse forms and levels of mental health solidarity, re-conceptualizing health in wars and conflicts, psychosocial support, and supporting women resilience in Area C.

Numerous experts and practitioners took part in this Conference, submitting papers on key issues from both an academic and a practitioner perspective.

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