Gaza City: Experts in the besieged Gaza Strip are mixing psychotherapy and music in therapy sessions designed to improve positivity among the Palestinian enclave’s war-weary population.
And 12-year-old Reem, whose family home was bombed in May during the latest clashes in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has been one of the gainers.
The young man was traumatized after an explosion at his home in Gaza’s Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, an experience that has regularly shed tears since then and left him feeling isolated and depressed.
But after Sununu joins a music therapy scheme run by the Association for Culture and Arts and funded by the German GIZ organization, her stress and fear have been significantly reduced.
Reem listens to music without words during her weekly psychological support sessions held as part of Enjoy Your Life with Music.
The program coordinator, Rania al-Shurihi, said that Reem’s mental health had improved dramatically as a result of her treatment, adding that the association also organized group sessions for Gazans suffering from the psychological effects of the war years and economic hardship. Did it
Music therapy gained official recognition after World War II for successfully dealing with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and is now used to treat a range of conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, heart irregularities, and blood pressure issues. .
Al-Shurihi pointed out that sometimes exposing people to sad music helps them release negative energy through crying, but added that happy and relaxing music incorporates the sound of rain and waves. may have similar positive results.
She notes that psychological pressure often generates the need to listen to music or readings from the Holy Quran for relaxation.
Mental health experts also use therapeutic methods such as writing, cooking, rowing and breathing exercises to relieve stress.
“Despite society’s legacy and negative attitudes about mental health center visitors, the success of the music therapy experience has contributed greatly to changing these concepts,” said Al-Shurihi.
Experts agree that many children living in Gaza suffer from psychological damage related to conflict, including depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders, urinary incontinence and nervous mood swings.
According to UNICEF figures, one million children live in Gaza, which has seen four wars with Israel since 2008. The aid organization said the deadly conflict in May had a devastating effect on many young people after schools, health facilities, homes and offices were damaged. Flattened in missile attacks.
Al-Shurihi said it was important that music therapy continues to be offered in Gaza, not only to cope with the effects of the war but also to deal with the daily pressures of Palestinian lives.
“We all need psychological intervention to varying degrees. And through music, we want to help those in need to overcome difficult situations and not drown in a sea of psychological crises,” she said.
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