The arts-based mental health and psychosocial support programme has been launched in Lebanon to help children and youth process the ‘invisible’ psychological injuries they have suffered through eight months of war, said Save the Children. 

Save the Children’s Healing and Education Through the Arts (HEART) programme supports children to process and communicate feelings of anxiety and fear, as well as traumatic experiences, in a supportive and healing environment. The programme - designed for children and youth aged 3 to 25, as well as parents and carers - uses expressive arts such as drawing, painting, music, drama, poetry, and creative writing to help children understand, communicate and manage their feelings.

Eight months into the Israeli military escalation in Lebanon, children continue to pay a growing and yet invisible psychological toll, said Save the Children. According to the agency’s child protection, mental health and psychosocial support staff, signs of distress – including nightmares, withdrawing from friends and family, aggressive behavior, and feelings of hopelessness – continue to be worryingly present among children and young people [1].

A loss of a sense of safety has also become one of the most prominent impacts of this war on children, with these “invisible wounds” having potential long-term impacts on children’s wellbeing, learning, and development.

Serena*, a 17-year-old girl from South Lebanon, told Save the Children of the profound psychological impact the war had left on her, saying: "The war had a major impact on my mental health and wellbeing. It even prevented me from playing basketball for a period of time because there was no safe court available. Sports were the one thing that helped me release stress and feel at ease."