Mental health is one of the essential pillars for the stability of both the individual and society, as it directly affects quality of life, productivity, and social relationships. This aspect becomes even more important when it comes to women, due to their central role in building both family and society. In the Syrian context, the ongoing war for over a decade has imposed unprecedented challenges on women, who find themselves facing immense psychological and social pressures resulting from displacement, loss of loved ones, domestic violence, economic changes, and early marriage.

The Syrian crisis has drastically transformed the traditional roles of women. While many once relied on family and community support, they are now responsible for supporting their families under extremely difficult living conditions. In addition to the economic and social pressures, Syrian women suffer from complex psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, chronic anxiety, and social isolation. Reports indicate that a large percentage of Syrian refugee women in camps and areas of internal displacement suffer from high levels of psychological stress due to gender-based violence and the challenges of adapting to new environments that often lack even the most basic psychological and social stability.

In light of these challenges, there is a pressing need for in-depth studies to understand the factors influencing Syrian women’s mental health and to analyze psychological and social interventions that could help improve their mental well-being. This study aims to shed light on the major psychological problems facing Syrian women, the contributing factors to their mental health deterioration, and provide practical suggestions and solutions to enhance psychological and social support and coping—whether on an individual level or through community-based policies and initiatives.

This research addresses several key areas, including the impact of war and displacement on Syrian women's mental health, domestic violence and early marriage as psychological stressors, social and economic changes and their effects on women's mental well-being, and psychological and social intervention strategies that could help improve the quality of life for women affected by conflict. The study is based on an analysis of previous research and field studies, in addition to reviewing efforts by international and local organizations to provide psychological and social support to women.

Highlighting this issue is not only an academic concern—it carries an important humanitarian and social dimension. Improving the mental health of Syrian women does not only benefit the women themselves but also has a positive impact on families and the entire society, contributing to social stability and the rebuilding of Syrian society on stronger and more humane foundations.

First: Direct Psychological Interventions

Psychotherapy and Individual Counseling

Psychotherapy is a vital tool in helping Syrian women deal with psychological trauma and social pressures. Effective methods include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps address PTSD, anxiety, and depression by changing negative thought patterns (Bolton et al., 2014). Gradual exposure therapy helps survivors of violence and trauma face their fears and rebuild a sense of safety. Group counseling offers a supportive environment where women can share their experiences and learn from each other, reducing feelings of isolation (Hijazi et al., 2019).

Psychosocial Support Programs

These programs include community-based activities aimed at enhancing psychological and social adaptation, such as women’s support groups, where women gather to discuss their experiences and support one another. Sports and arts as therapeutic tools have been shown to help relieve stress and improve mental health (Betancourt et al., 2013). Programs for behavioral rehabilitation of children and mothers support women in coping with the psychological pressures of parenting in unstable environments.

Second: Social and Economic Interventions

Economic Empowerment of Women

Financial independence is a key factor in improving the mental health of Syrian women, as it reduces economic pressure and enhances their sense of control over their lives. Empowerment strategies include vocational training and job opportunities, such as sewing, handicrafts, and IT courses, enabling women to enter the workforce and achieve financial independence (ILO, 2021). Support for women's entrepreneurship through small loans or grants helps women start their own businesses and generate income. Financial literacy programs teach women how to manage money and save, reducing anxiety about the financial future.

Improving Access to Basic Services

This includes enhancing mental health services in primary care centers by providing psychologists in clinics and hospitals to ensure women receive the necessary support. Awareness campaigns about mental health aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and encourage women to seek help when needed. Online counseling services can be effective in reaching women in remote areas or refugees who have difficulty accessing clinics.

Third: Interventions for Gender-Based Violence

Establishing Protection and Support Centers for Survivors of Violence

These centers provide safe spaces for women with psychological and social support, including emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, legal services to help them claim their rights, and psychological and social counseling to help them recover from trauma.

Psychological Rehabilitation Programs for Survivors

Group therapy for survivors enables women to talk about their experiences and share coping strategies. Art and drama therapy have been proven to be effective tools for processing psychological trauma and expressing emotions (Purgato et al., 2018).

Fourth: The Role of Humanitarian Organizations and Governments in Effective Intervention

Support from Humanitarian Organizations

NGOs play a vital role in providing psychological and social support to Syrian women. Leading organizations offering specialized programs include the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which offers psychosocial support programs; the World Health Organization (WHO), which implements mental health programs in conflict zones; and CARE International, which provides psychological and social support to conflict-affected women.

The Role of Governments in Promoting Women’s Mental Health

Syrian and host country governments must take action to support Syrian women by integrating mental health programs into the public health system to ensure services are available to all, enacting laws to protect women from violence, and creating a safe environment. They should also support policies that promote women’s economic empowerment, such as grants for women-owned small businesses and providing suitable job opportunities.

Conclusion

The mental health of Syrian women is not merely a personal issue but a societal challenge that affects family and community stability. The past years have revealed the deep psychological impact of war, displacement, and social violence on women, resulting in high rates of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In this context, psychological and social intervention becomes a necessity, not a choice, to ensure women can regain their psychological balance and rebuild their lives.

Studies and field experiences have shown that integrated interventions combining psychological support, economic empowerment, and enhanced social protection are the most effective in improving the mental health of Syrian women. Treatment programs like CBT and psychosocial support, along with economic empowerment and creating a safe environment, play a central role in helping women overcome trauma and build more stable lives. The role of governments, international organizations, and local communities is crucial—they bear the responsibility of providing adequate psychological support and creating policies that protect women and improve their chances for a dignified life.

Addressing the mental health crisis of Syrian women requires a fundamental shift in how psychological and social issues are approached. Mental health support should not just be an emergency response during crises but a core component of long-term health and social policy. Syrian women are not merely victims of events—they are essential to rebuilding society. Without the psychological and social support they need, the effects of these crises will endure for generations.

Therefore, efforts must be unified to ensure Syrian women have access to mental health services, and to create a safe environment that respects their rights and allows them to grow and thrive. Empowering women mentally and socially is not just a moral obligation—it is a necessary step toward building a more cohesive and just society where women can realize their full potential and contribute effectively to building a better future for Syria.

References

Arabic Sources:

1- السيد، أحمد (2018). تأثير النزاعات المسلحة على الصحة النفسية للمرأة: دراسة ميدانية على اللاجئات السوريات في الأردن. مجلة الدراسات النفسية والاجتماعية، العدد 12، ص 45-67.

2- عبد الله، فاطمة (2019). العنف الأسري وأثره على الصحة النفسية للمرأة السورية النازحة. مجلة العلوم الاجتماعية، جامعة دمشق، المجلد 35، العدد 2، ص 112-134.

3- المركز العربي للأبحاث ودراسة السياسات (2021). النساء السوريات بين الحرب والنزوح: دراسة في التحديات النفسية والاجتماعية.

4- منظمة الصحة العالمية - المكتب الإقليمي لشرق المتوسط (2020). تقرير عن الصحة النفسية للاجئات السوريات في دول الجوار: التحديات والتدخلات.

5- الجمعية السورية للصحة النفسية (2022). الآثار النفسية والاجتماعية للنزوح على المرأة السورية: استراتيجيات المواجهة والتكيف.

6- المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين (2021). العنف القائم على النوع الاجتماعي بين اللاجئات السوريات: الإحصائيات والتوصيات.

English Sources:

1-Bolton, P., et al. (2014). Interventions for Depression in Conflict-Affected Areas: A Systematic Review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 183, 1–8.

2-Betancourt, T. S., et al. (2013). Psychosocial Problems Among War-Affected Adolescents in Northern Uganda: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Adolescent Research, 28(1), 116–136.

3-Hijazi, Z., et al. (2019). Group Therapy for Displaced Syrian Women: A Feasibility Study. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 13(1), 24.

4-ILO. (2021). Syrian Women and the Labour Market. International Labour Organization Report.

5-Murray, K. E., Davidson, G. R., & Schweitzer, R. D. (2019). Psychological Wellbeing of Refugee Women. Journal of Refugee Studies, 32(1), 20–39.

6-Purgato, M., et al. (2018). Psychological Therapies for the Treatment of Mental Disorders in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries Affected by Humanitarian Crises. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(6), 482–496.

7-UNHCR. (2021). Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health in Displaced Communities.

8-UN Women. (2020). The Role of Women in Post-Conflict Societies.