اختر لغتك
21 May 2026, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – Mental health and psychosocial support services are a critical part of primary health care, particularly in emergency and recovery settings where communities face prolonged stress, uncertainty and psychological distress as they work to rebuild their lives.
Facilitators and participants during the training-of-trainers. Photo credit: WHO
The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the European Union (EU), concluded a five-day training programme based on the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide version 2.0 (mhGAP-IG v2), focused on improving mental health care through primary health services.
The training brought together around 30 participants from all governorates, including psychiatrists, mental health officers and public health professionals representing four ministries within the Mental Health Interministerial Committee – the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence.
The programme aimed to prepare a group of national trainers who can support health workers across Syria to better identify, assess and support people living with mental health conditions. Through practical sessions, group discussions and interactive exercises, participants strengthened skills in mental health care, communication, facilitation and supportive supervision to help expand services through primary health care centres nationwide.
Dr Ghazwan Bouidani, Deputy Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health (right) and Dr. Nabil Samarji, Public Health Officer for Mental Health at WHO (left), engaging with participants during a training session. Photo credit: WHO
“This is the first training of its kind in Syria at this scale and scope, bringing together multiple ministries to strengthen mental health services nationwide,” said Dr Ghazwan Bouidani, Deputy Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health. “The programme supports the integration of mental health into primary health care, enabling people to access comprehensive services through primary health centres, particularly in areas with limited mental health services.”
Dr Soha Haidar, paediatric specialist, during a training session. Photo credit: WHO
Paediatric specialist Dr Soha Haidar highlighted the importance the training programme in strengthening mental health services in Syria. “We are seeing increasing cases of depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders, while the number of trained professionals remains limited,” she said. “These trainings increase our knowledge and confidence to better support patients and respond to growing needs in our communities.”
An interactive discussion between Dr Ahmad Omari (participant) and facilitators during the training. Photo credit: WHO
Dr Ahmad Omari, one of the participants, emphasized the importance of making mental health support available through primary health care services. emphasized the importance of making mental health support available through primary health care services. “In Syria, there is a significant gap in mental health services, especially in rural and remote areas where access remains limited,” he said. “Integrating mental health services into primary health care centres will greatly improve access to care and help ease people’s suffering.”
The training underpins broader health system recovery efforts in Syria and supports the development of a national network of trainers who can help expand mental health services across Syria and strengthen support for health workers delivering care at community level. It also contributes to broader national efforts to integrate mental health into primary health care and improve access to services, particularly in underserved areas. As Syria works to recover from years of crisis, access to mental health services is a critical enabler of peacebuilding and conflict resolution – supporting communities to rebuild trust, foster emotional resilience, and establish the social cohesion necessary for lasting stability
WHO, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and with support from the EU, remains committed to strengthening Syria’s health system and advancing national efforts to improve mental health and psychosocial support services. Through investments in institutional strengthening and essential health services, the initiative contributes to expanding integrated care and supporting the recovery of health services across Syria.
