Beirut, Lebanon, March 26, 2026 — The sharp escalation of hostilities in Lebanon has intensified an already fragile situation, forcing people to flee their homes and increasing psychological distress across the country. Even before the current violence, Lebanon faced one of the highest rates of mental health conditions in the region, with nearly half the population screening positive for depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ongoing exposure to violence, fear, and uncertainty is worsening the mental health crisis. Many individuals report severe anxiety, disrupted sleep, emotional strain, and difficulty managing daily life. The lack of safe spaces and the unpredictability of the conflict are deepening feelings of fear, helplessness, and exhaustion, leaving communities in a constant state of survival.
Magda Rossmann, IRC Country Director for Lebanon, highlighted the urgent need for mental health support, noting that people are living under constant threat and that the rising insecurity is limiting access to care. She emphasized the importance of immediate funding to provide mental health services and to strengthen Lebanon’s systems for long-term recovery.
Demand for mental health support is rising sharply. Calls to national mental health hotlines doubled in the first ten days of the escalation, with 55% of callers reporting acute emotional distress, 30% suicidal ideation, and 40% needing urgent referrals. The crisis affects a wide spectrum of people, including those with pre-existing conditions, individuals experiencing symptoms for the first time, and vulnerable groups such as displaced children, refugees, migrant workers, and people with disabilities.
Dr. Rabih Chammay, Head of the National Mental Health Programme, emphasized that the crisis has made mental health a frontline issue, affecting children and parents alike. He underscored that investing in mental health is essential for protection, dignity, and long-term healing.
The IRC is one of the largest NGO partners supporting Lebanon’s mental health system, helping maintain continuity of care despite operational challenges. It is scaling up support for the Mobile Crisis Team, which delivers urgent psychological care across Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and North Lebanon to people unable to access health facilities.
In addition, the IRC is expanding innovative remote mental health support via phone and online tools. This includes Step-by-Step, a free five-week evidence-based program developed by WHO and the NMHP, delivered through mobile apps or websites with weekly phone support. The IRC is also scaling Self-Help Plus (SH+), a guided mental health program delivered through podcasts based on WHO’s stress management program. These digital tools ensure that vulnerable communities receive flexible, confidential care regardless of location.
The IRC is also running recreational sessions for displaced children in shelters, providing safe spaces for creative expression, social interaction, and emotional relief to restore a sense of normalcy and stability.
Despite these efforts, needs continue to rise while insecurity and limited resources constrain service delivery. The IRC warns that demand for sustained and specialized mental health support will continue to grow and is calling on donors and the international community to provide flexible, sustained funding to address immediate needs and strengthen national systems for long-term recovery. Without prompt action, the psychological impact of the crisis risks becoming a prolonged public health emergency.
The IRC’s work in Lebanon builds on the Support for Social Recovery Needs of Vulnerable Groups Phase II (SRP2) project, running from September 2024 to June 2026. The project strengthens national mental health services, aligns with the National Mental Health Strategy 2024-2030, and is implemented in partnership with the NMHP, national partners, the World Bank-administered Multi Donor Trust Fund for Forced Displacement, and the PROSPECTS Partnership supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
