Mental health in the shadow of war discussed at SASPAM

The Health Policy Workshop organized by the Istanbul Medipol University’s Research Center for Healthcare Systems and Policies (SASPAM) addressed the difficulties experienced in the management of mental health services in a war environment. In his presentation titled “Mental Health Under the Smell of Gunpowder: Challenges of Service Management in Northwest Syria”, Assoc. Prof. Erman Gedikli drew attention to the structural and social issues that health systems face in times of conflict.

ASSOC. PROF. GEDİKLİ: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE BEING IGNORED 
In his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Gedikli assessed the devastating effects of the war in Syria on the health system, stating that approximately one million people in northwestern Syria are in need of mental health and psychosocial support. Emphasizing that local health directorates have become heavily dependent on external aid, Assoc. Prof. Gedikli said: “Mental health services have been one of the areas that have been pushed to the back burner in this crisis environment. Obstacles such as lack of financial resources, inadequate human resources, and social stigmatization threaten the sustainability of services in this area.”