Gaza: Over a million children in Gaza are in need of mental health and psychosocial support services, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports. Sima Alami, adolescent and youth program officer at UNFPA, emphasized the critical nature of the situation in an interview with UN News.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, a staggering 96 per cent of children in Gaza feel that death is imminent, illustrating the depth of fear and trauma they experience on a daily basis. This mental health emergency also affects adolescents and youth, with 61 per cent suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 38 per cent from depression, and 41 per cent from anxiety. Alarmingly, one in five adults considers suicide almost daily.
Girls in Gaza are among the most vulnerable in this crisis. Child marriage, which was previously declining, has sharply increased as families face survival challenges. A UNFPA study revealed that 71 per cent of respondents reported increased pressure to marry girls under 18. During a brief monitoring period, over 400 marriage licenses were issued for girls aged 14 to 16, though these figures are likely underreported.
Child marriage is seen by some families as a survival strategy amidst displacement, poverty, and insecurity. However, it exposes girls to violence, with 63 per cent of young brides reportedly experiencing physical, psychological, or sexual violence. There are rising divorce rates and severe psychological distress among married minors, with over 100 suicides or attempted suicides documented among survivors of violence, highlighting child marriage as a form of gender-based violence.
Access to healthcare in Gaza has declined significantly, with only 15 per cent of health facilities able to provide emergency obstetric and neonatal services, increasing risks for young mothers and their babies. In 2025, approximately 10 per cent of newly registered pregnancies in Gaza were among adolescent girls, marking a significant rise compared to pre-war levels.
The situation in the West Bank is also deteriorating. Increasing violence, military operations, and colonist attacks have led to displacement, particularly in refugee camps. Movement restrictions and checkpoint closures have disrupted daily life and forced many schools to close, causing chronic anxiety and insecurity among children and young people, who are even considering leaving Palestine.
UNFPA has expanded its support services amidst these challenges. Over the past three years, the agency has reopened and supported more than 35 safe spaces for women and girls, distributed over 120,000 dignity and hygiene kits, and operates more than 15 multi-purpose youth centres across Palestine, including 11 dedicated to girls. These centres provide psychosocial support, education, and life skills, promoting community engagement and belonging.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain immense, particularly in Gaza, where harsh conditions and limited resources hinder operations. Many families prioritize survival over mental health, underscoring the need for integrated responses linking psychosocial support with food, health, and education services.
