Gaza Children in the Rubble: Mental Health and Education Priorities

The war in Gaza continues to destroy the lives of thousands every day, but amidst the destruction and loss of life, there is one aspect that is often overlooked: the mental health and education of children. These children are not just numbers in the casualty statistics, they are the future of an entire people, and yet they are being denied the most basic rights that could give them a chance at normalcy amidst this chaos.

In addition to the bombing and death, many children in Gaza suffer from the loss of family stability. Some have lost their parents, others have been separated from their families. This separation creates a sense of loss and vulnerability, and makes it difficult for children to recover psychologically. As the violence continues, children become more accustomed to scenes of aggression, threatening to normalize violence as part of their daily lives, contributing to the creation of a new generation with emotional scars that may last a lifetime.

For the children of Gaza, school is not just a place where they learn to read and write. In times of war and conflict, school is a safe haven that encourages a child’s mental and social development. But with schools destroyed and families displaced, there is no place for children to regain a sense of normalcy. Losing school means not only losing an education, but also losing part of their future and the dreams that gave them hope for a better tomorrow.

Working as a psychologist with Palestinian children, I have seen firsthand the profound psychological impact of these traumas. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are daily realities for Gaza’s children. While the bombing may stop in an instant, the psychological scars remain fresh for long periods of time, impacting every aspect of their lives. Every day that goes by without psychological care for these children means that the scars will deepen, and their ability to heal will become more difficult over time.

Education: The Missing Key to Survival

Education has always been a symbol of resistance and steadfastness in Palestine. Despite the harsh conditions, Palestine was among the countries with the lowest illiteracy rates in the world. But now, with schools destroyed and children displaced, their most powerful tool – knowledge – is being taken away from them. The absence of education not only affects academic achievement, but also weakens hope and ambition and leads to a state of despair and brokenness. These children dreamed of becoming doctors, engineers and teachers, but now that dream is threatened with disappearance in the shadow of war.

The Importance of Psychosocial Support: Restoring the Spirit

Gaza has in the past successfully integrated psychosocial services into the education services provided in schools, with mental health units and counsellors in most Gazan schools. Psychosocial support is not a luxury for children in conflict zones, it is an absolute necessity. Arts, music and sports provide children with a means to express their pain and feelings in unconventional ways. I have seen the impact of these activities in my work; arts and sports give them a chance to regain some normalcy in their lives, to overcome trauma and rebuild their self-confidence. However, these activities are currently rare in Gaza, and there needs to be real investment in making them widely available.

Rebuilding schools alone is not enough. Psychosocial support must be integrated into schools to help children cope with what they have experienced. We need an education system that understands the impact of trauma and places children at the heart of the recovery process. Family and community support must also be a key part of this effort.

Gaza's children deserve more than just survival

The children of Gaza are the future we must protect and invest in. The destruction of their homes and schools is not the end of the story. These children deserve a chance to live with dignity, to learn, and to heal. If the world does not act now to support them, the devastating impact of war will last for decades. But if we work together, we can rebuild not just buildings, but the lives and dreams of these children. They are counting on us.