Mental Health Support for Palestinian University Students
UNESCO aims to create a supportive educational environment for university students in Palestine by collaborating with its partners to address mental health and well-being needs. In partnership with the AFKAR Organization for Educational and Cultural Development and the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education, UNESCO launched a training program to establish a sustainable mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) network for university students.
The training targeted 45 fourth-year psychology and social work students from three universities in the West Bank: An Najah National University (Nablus), Birzeit University (Ramallah), and Hebron University (Hebron). These students were equipped with skills to provide peer-to-peer MHPSS services and self-help guidance. Through this training, they successfully delivered structured mental health support to 1,350 peers via group sessions. The initiative aims to foster openness about mental health in university communities and reduce stigma.
The training program employed various methods, such as role-playing, storytelling, art-based activities like drawing and mosaics, and interactive discussions. These approaches helped participants develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. The program also emphasized self-awareness and emotional regulation, offering practical tools to manage daily challenges and long-term goals.
As part of UNESCO’s broader project, “Addressing Learners’ Mental Health Needs to Enhance Learning and Well-being in Palestinian Schools,” this initiative integrates trained students into a national MHPSS team, contributing to long-term mental health strategies in the education sector. The team is expected to play a vital role in improving the mental health infrastructure in Palestinian education and reaching more marginalized communities.