During the COVID-19 pandemic, movement restrictions and lockdowns have had a negative impact on people. Patients needing mental health services are severely affected, especially those struggling to access treatment at a health care facility. In Syria, 75% of people with mental health conditions receive no treatment at all, and the current pandemic is further aggravating the situation.
To help thousands of people, WHO continues to support health partners to ensure that medicines and health services for mental health patients are available. To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, patients who used to visit the WHO-supported Mental Health Hospital are now visited at home by mobile teams.
Supported by WHO, the mobile health teams serve more than 1 500 people in different areas across Aleppo with a wide range of health services such as nursing, mental health and psychosocial sessions, and COVID-19 awareness sessions. They also provide treatment as needed.
Where initially there were only 4 psychiatrists serving a population of over 4 million in 2016, WHO has significantly scaled up the training of over 160 doctors and nearly 450 psychosocial workers to provide non-specialized mental health and psychosocial support services in primary health care centres across northwest Syria.
To respond to COVID-19, WHO has partnered with a local nongovernmental organization to implement mental health and psychosocial COVID-19 helplines to support frontline workers, patients, and their respective families to understand and cope with the pressures of the pandemic.
Despite the stigma that continues to prove a barrier for patients in accessing mental health care, health partners are noticing an improvement in behaviour change among Syrians.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about WHO support for mental health in Syria on the WHO/EMRO website