The implementation of Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) has commenced for children who experienced traumatic events during the bombing of the Palestine Tower in August of last year. A recent re-evaluation showed that these children were displaying symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which was significantly impacting their daily functioning. Despite the passage of several months, the children were unable to overcome the traumatic event and return to their normal lives. The severity and recurrence of symptoms were increasing with time, particularly with the occurrence of bombings in the Gaza Strip. The parents of these children were very supportive of the intervention and emphasized its necessity.

The Gaza Pediatric Mental Health Initiative was initiated as an early response to the war in 2014 when tens of thousands of Gaza children were psychologically traumatized from direct exposure to violence. In 2018 our focus moved to training local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to help them better respond to this crisis facing children in Gaza. Working with partners from the Gaza Community Mental Health Program (GCMHP) and the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), we began different approaches to intervening with the children and their families. This included group therapy, one-on-one therapy, medication support, summer camps, and other activities to assist in their treatment.