The University of Sciences and Arts in Lebanon organized a workshop at the University entitled “Psychological First Aid”, in collaboration with the Islamic Health Authority. The workshop was presented by the clinical psychotherapist Ms. Israa Hamadi, and attended by a group of students.

The workshop aimed at spreading awareness among students relevant to methods of handling the daily news about bloody and tragic scenes and events occurring in Gaza, causing stress and anxiety and impacting individuals’ psychological health.

At the beginning of the workshop, all participants stood a minute of silence for the souls of martyrs in Gaza, and the brutal massacres happening in Palestine. Throughout the workshop, Ms. Hamadi emphasized the importance of individuals’ psychological health and its impact on the society’s health as a whole, in light of the ongoing situation in the region, along with the deteriorating psychological conditions of all age groups, leading to anxiety, threatening our inner peace and negatively affecting our behaviour.

The presenter further explained the negative effects of continuous heavy exposure to social media platforms in times of crises, and stressed on being attentive to false new and rumours at this stage. She also recommended implementing several forms of activities to face stress, such as relaxation exercises, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, listening to music or reading a novel.

In conclusion of the workshop, Ms. Hamadi explained several techniques that may assist in relieving anxiety and psychological stress in times of crises and disasters, emphasizing the principles of psychological first aid. She also used practical application of first aid techniques with students to guide them in case of providing aid for others.