Syrian practitioners are receiving essential training in faith-sensitive, culturally adapted mental health support to better address the needs of people affected by conflict and displacement.
With the fall of the Assad regime in Damascus in December 2024 and the dawn of a new era in Syria, there is a huge need to promote, plan, and put Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) projects through a faith-sensitive lens into practice. This pivotal moment allows practitioners and stakeholders to address the deeply rooted trauma of conflict and displacement while integrating culturally and spiritually adapted approaches. By leveraging this transitional period, state actors and civil society organisations can collaborate with local communities, including religious representatives, to implement sustainable, culturally relevant, and faith-sensitive MHPSS frameworks that resonate with the lived experiences of Syrians, fostering resilience and hope for the future.
The collaboration between PaRD members Syria Bright Future (SBF) and the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI), initiated in 2022, laid critical groundwork that has become even more relevant in this new context. Their efforts to empower Syrian Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) providers with culturally and faith-sensitive approaches build on a growing body of research highlighting the transformative potential of culturally adapted MHPSS in conflict-affected communities. However, many Syrian practitioners have been constrained by frameworks developed outside their cultural context, limiting their ability to provide impactful care. To address this, SBF and JLI focused on strengthening local MHPSS capacities, equipping practitioners with the skills to deliver culturally relevant, faith-sensitive support to communities grappling with displacement and conflict.
Recent Findings Stress the Importance of Cultural Adaptation
A key deliverable of the project is a policy paper, Culturally Sensitive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) in the Syrian Context, which underlines the pressing need for training in culturally aware practices among local professionals. The paper reveals that while many Syrian MHPSS practitioners recognise the value of integrating cultural sensitivity, formal training in these approaches is rare. It also identifies misconceptions, such as the assumption that all Syrians share similar cultural backgrounds, which can lead to oversimplified and ineffective interventions.
The findings show diverse perspectives among practitioners on the role of religion in mental health care. Many expressed interest in collaborating with religious leaders and deepening their understanding of faith-based approaches, while nearly half indicated caution around directly involving religious figures in clinical settings. This highlights the need for a balanced approach that respects both cultural sensitivity and professional boundaries.
A Roadmap for Enhancing Culturally Sensitive MHPSS
To drive sustainable change, the report advocates for expanded training in culturally adapted and faith-sensitive MHPSS approaches. It calls on civil society organisations, faith-based groups, and the media to raise awareness of the benefits of these practices and underscores the need for ongoing research to develop adaptive approaches for Syrian communities. Through these steps, SBF and JLI, with PaRD’s support, are working to ensure that mental health support in Syria reflects the lived experiences and unique needs of those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Download policy paper now!
Download the policy paper on “Culturally Sensitive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) in the Syrian Context” which was published in 2023 by Syria Bright Future (SBF) and the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI).
