UN: Over one million people in Gaza now need mental health support

More than one million people in Gaza now require mental health treatment, according to the United Nations, as the ongoing conflict continues to take a severe psychological toll on the population.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that two years of fighting have more than doubled the number of people in need of mental health care, rising from about 485,000 before the war to over one million.

Before Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023, UNICEF had estimated that around 500,000 children required mental health and psychosocial support. The agency now says almost every child in the enclave is in need of such assistance.

Health officials have repeatedly warned that the destruction of medical infrastructure, displacement, and constant exposure to violence have worsened psychological distress among civilians. Hospitals and clinics equipped to provide mental health care have been severely affected by the conflict, leaving many without access to essential treatment.

The UN has previously described Gaza as being on the brink of a mental health catastrophe, noting that prolonged trauma, fear, and loss are impacting both adults and children across the territory.