Adapting psychiatric practice in war zones: Clinicians experience from the Lebanon 2024 war

In September 2024, the intensification of the war in South Lebanon, Bekaa, and the Southern suburbs of Beirut led to widespread destruction, mass displacement, and severe psychological distress, creating unprecedented challenges for mental health professionals. This paper reflects on the experiences of mental health practitioners working in Lebanon during the war, exploring the complexities of providing trauma-informed care amidst active warfare. Clinicians faced significant challenges, including working in makeshift clinics, failure to meet ethical standards of care, balancing psychological and physical needs, and integrating non-specialized support into mental health care. They also navigated ethical dilemmas, such as reconciling dignity and confidentiality with the urgent need for psychological relief, and addressed stigma around mental health. Cultural sensitivities in diagnosing and managing complex symptomatology further complicated care delivery. Despite these obstacles, clinicians demonstrated resilience and adaptability, offering valuable lessons for mental health professionals in conflict zones. The paper concludes with practical recommendations to improve crisis mental health care, including prioritizing clinician self-care, promoting flexibility in care delivery, enhancing cultural sensitivity, and improving training and preparedness. Strengthening community engagement and advocating for policy integration and institutional support are equally crucial. These strategies aim to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of mental health interventions in conflict settings. Lebanon's experience underscores the critical importance of incorporating mental health into disaster response plans. Prompt and effective mental health interventions are vital to preventing prolonged distress and promoting recovery, establishing mental health care as a fundamental element of any emergency response framework.