March 27 2024 - Geneva Graduate Institute and Beyond Conflict co-host:"No Peace of Mind: Mental Health Under Military Occupation & War”

March 2024

Beyond Conflict will co-host an online panel discussion on 27 March 2024 with the world respected Geneva Graduate Institute’s Global Health Centre. “No Peace of Mind: Mental Health Under Military Occupation & War” will focus on Ukraine, Jammu and Kashmir and the Palestinian West Bank, featuring speakers who are leading mental health experts from each region.

The event will begin with opening remarks from Médecins Sans Frontières and it will be moderated by Edna Fernandes, Co-Founder and Director of Beyond Conflict.

 “We at Beyond Conflict believe that tackling mental health provision for civilians and frontline workers in war zones is an urgent and necessary step towards building an enduring peace. Beyond Conflict is honoured to be part of this event and we thank the Institute for drawing the world’s attention to this cause,” said Fernandes.

The Geneva Graduate Institute and BC event will throw a spotlight on this under-represented area of humanitarian assistance.
Conflict-affected areas are also often characterised by insufficient resources for mental health. Humanitarian agencies struggle to provide even minimal levels of mental healthcare for populations in conflict zones. As violence intensifies and is prolonged, mental health comes to be characterised as a low-level priority or even as a luxury.

This event aims to bring together experts to discuss different aspects of mental health crises and care, drawing on recent and on-going cases, addressing questions such as:

• What kinds of mental health challenges are prevalent in areas under military occupation or experiencing armed conflict? Which age and gender groups are more affected?
• What are the main obstacles to providing mental health care in such contexts?

Speakers

		Opening Remarks by Mariana Duarte | Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Advisor, Médecins Sans Frontières, France
		Occupied Palestinian territory: Mohammad Marie| Mental Health Consultant, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Annajah National University, 7, Rafedia, Nablus, West Bank, occupied Palestinian territory
		Jammu and Kashmir: Saiba Varma| Associate Professor of Psychological/Medical Anthropology, Affiliate Faculty in Global Health and Science Studies programs, University of California, San Diego
		Ukraine: Dmytro Martsenkovskyi | Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Bohomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine

A recording will be available after the event.

The Beyond Conflict Team