Lebanon’s economic, political, and health crises have adversely impacted the mental health of people across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic, continuing economic crisis, and trauma of the Beirut blast have drastically increased the need for mental health support. 

In 2021, the National Lifeline in Lebanon for Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention reported five times more distress calls per day than in 2019. Lebanon’s protracted crises have been particularly harmful to children, with a recent study finding that a third of children and adolescents studied in Lebanon showed signs of at least one psychiatric disorder. The study found that only 5% of those children and adolescents had sought professional help.

While the demand for mental health support has increased, the availability of treatment has lagged behind. 

Due to insufficient resources for mental health services in Lebanon, it is estimated that nine out of ten people who need help cannot get it. There are very few practicing psychiatrists and psychologists in the country, and only 42 outpatient mental health facilities, which are typically limited to urban areas.