Supporting people affected by the Gaza conflict is the focus of a recent mental health initiative offering tailored local services, and culturally sensitive support that’s improving emotional wellbeing and community connection.
A joint initiative of Western Sydney, Central and Eastern Sydney and Sydney North Primary Health Networks, The Wellness and Resilience: Gaza Conflict Project tailored a community plan to help build resilience and social connection, assist with the loss, anxiety and elevated levels of distress due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Community consultation was the cornerstone of the project to ensure the communities’ needs were understood and effective support could be provided.
WSPHN Gaza Mental Health Response Coordinator, Amal said grant recipients were selected to meet the varying levels of social and emotional wellbeing needs of recently arrived Palestinian refugees alongside those of impacted peripheral communities.
“A biopsychosocial-spiritual healing model underpinned the project and, for this reason, served as our rationale for funding a combination of individual and community level activities, delivered by grassroots-led organisations and clinical experts,” said Amal.
“Funding grants focused on mental health literacy, encouraging proactive help seeking, reducing isolation and enhancing the ability of local services to provide culturally informed care.
“As the Gaza Conflict Project moves into its next phase, we are committed to strengthening community resilience and ensuring newly arrived refugees continue to receive the support they need to heal and thrive.”
Measurable Impact
Local organisations including Educaid, Palestinian Christians in Australia, The Gaza Association, Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and Self-Actualize reached hundreds of community members.
Key outcomes included:
- 81 family assessments with specialist referrals
- Training of 100+ Imams to increase mental health literacy and support pathways
- Approximately 300 individuals participated in healing circles and cultural activities
- 490 young people attended weekly exercise sessions
- A solidarity Gala was held with over 150 attendees
- A Harbour cruise welcomed over 260 newly arrived Gazans
Founder and CEO of Self-Actualize, Nina Azam, conducted family assessments, uncovering conflicted emotions through children’s drawings—expressions of despair, fear, resilience, and hope.
“The children’s drawings revealed their pain and uncertainty, but also a deep hope for their future,” said Nina.
The Wellness and Resilience: Gaza Conflict Project is a joint initiative of Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN), Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and North Sydney Primary Health Network. The project was funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing in November 2023.
Questions: gazamentalhealth@wentwest.com.au
Trauma-Informed Care in Practice: Lessons from Gaza and Western Sydney
Health professionals were given a rare insight the challenges and experiences faced by Palestinian refugees at a special event hosted by Western Sydney Primary Health Network.
Lead by MC Western Sydney GP and NSW Branch Secretary of the Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA), Dr Sara Yusuf, the evening featured practical strategies for delivering culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
Speakers drew on both clinical expertise and on-the-ground experience to highlight the complex health challenges faced by Palestinian refugees.
Key themes included:
- Addressing psychosocial determinants of health
- Navigating Medicare and visa-related barriers
- Recognising the impact of grief, trauma, and displacement on health outcomes
NSW Refugee Health Service GP, Dr Miriam Brooks said the depth of compassion and heart shared by each speaker was deeply moving.
“The genocidal conditions and trauma affecting communities and health colleagues in Gaza are beyond imaginable. I'm grateful to have had the evening to learn more about what our patients from Palestinian backgrounds have and are enduring, and how we can work together in Western Sydney, across our different workplaces, to support our patients and each other.”
The program featured a distinguished panel of speakers:
- Dr Bushra Othman – Australian Palestinian Surgeon, Gaza Mission Volunteer (PANZMA)
- Dr Mohammad Amr – Co-founder, Palestinian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA)
- Dr Miriam Brooks – GP, NSW Refugee Health Service
- Ziyad Serhan – CEO, Educaid
- Reem Borrows – Board Director, Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)
- Dr Iyngaranathan Selvaratnam – GP at Redfern Aboriginal Legal Service and Trainer at Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
WentWest-commissioned service providers—Parramatta Medicare Mental Health Centre, STARTTS, and One Door Mental Health—were present to support participants.
Western Sydney HealthPathways has developed a suite of online resources to support health professionals.
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