75 Between wars: the mental health impact of the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict on Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Abstract OP 18: Mental Health 1, B304 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30 Aims This study examines the mental health impacts of the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, particularly the 2024 nationwide escalation, on Syrian refugees residing in Beirut and Greater Beirut. It explores how the escalation of violence exacerbated pre-existing trauma, heightened stressors, and disrupted coping mechanisms. The research aims to contribute to the understanding of how recurrent conflict influences the psychological well-being of displaced populations and to inform policies and interventions addressing refugees’ mental health needs. Methods A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing in-depth interviews with 50 Syrian refugees aged 18 and above. Participants were recruited through community organizations, NGOs, and refugee networks. Semi-structured interviews, conducted in Arabic, explored primary and secondary stressors, coping strategies, and access to mental health support. Data was analyzed using thematic?analysis, guided by trauma theory, ecological systems theory, and the stress process model. Ethical considerations, including trauma-informed research principles, were central to the study design. Results Findings revealed that the conflict acted as a re-traumatizing event, triggering anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among participants. Refugees reported heightened fear, displacement uncertainty, and barriers to mental health support due to mobility restrictions, economic hardship, and stigma. The escalation disrupted essential coping mechanisms, such as community support networks and religious practices, exacerbating psychological distress. Gendered experiences emerged, with women facing additional caregiving burdens and risks of exploitation, while men expressed feelings of helplessness and diminished agency. Trust in humanitarian organizations and institutions deteriorated due to perceived neglect. Conclusions The study underscores the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions for refugees in conflict-affected areas. Findings highlight the necessity of trauma-informed, community-based support systems and policy responses that address the compounded vulnerabilities of Syrian refugees in Lebanon’s protracted displacement context.