A young Lebanese man walks past a mural reading "We are tired" in the city of Tripoli, Lebanon, on April 28, 2020. Photo AFP.
Presented at a conference on Thursday under the theme "Mental Health in Lebanon Following Multiple Crises," and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the results of a 2022 study by the Lebanese Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), founded by psychiatrist and researcher Elie Karam, confirmed the devastating impact of the past five years' crises on the mental health of the Lebanese population.
Conducted in partnership with polling institute Ipsos, the study surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 individuals. The main finding is striking: two-thirds of the Lebanese population, or about 65 percent, are suffering from at least one mental disorder, ranging from depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorders.
"When I returned to Lebanon more than 30 years ago, I was shocked by the lack of data on mental health," says Elie Karam. He then launched a project finally published in 2006, in collaboration with Harvard University, which had undertaken a study across the region. Repeating the study in 2022, Karam was surprised by the high numbers.
A 'catastrophe'
"We found that two-thirds of Lebanese exhibit at least one mental disorder," says Karam. These disorders are particularly linked to the economic and financial crisis, the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing conflict with Israel in southern Lebanon had not yet started at the time of the study. The research also found that the more individuals were affected by one or more of these events, the greater their risk of mental disorders.
" The questions we asked provide a likely indication of the interviewees' mental health because to have a definitive understanding, face-to-face interviews are needed," explains Karam. "We asked questions such as whether the interviewee can make ends meet if they see social opportunities as problematic, and if they feel their future is secure... We then established a score," he adds.
The higher the score, the greater the risk of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, each of these disorders, Karam notes, could lead to the emergence of the others.
Dr. Karam does not hesitate to describe these results as a "disaster," given their impact on professional performance, social relationships, and overall quality of life. The previous IDRAAC study found that 85 percent of Lebanese with severe mental disorders did not seek professional help. This current study does not address this issue. The lack of access to affordable medications, despite efforts by the Ministry of Health in some clinics, adds to the barriers faced by Lebanese.
Another aggravating factor hindering access to treatment, even when financial resources are available, is the prevailing gloom that normalizes mental disorders. As a result, those suffering from mental health issues may not always recognize them in the discomfort they feel. The risks of untreated mental disorders are "numerous," according to the specialist, ranging from decreased work performance and various relational problems to abandoning future projects, and dependence on drugs and alcohol.
"We thus observe a neglect at the individual and population levels," the researcher points out. He notes that all demographics surveyed are affected, with women slightly more than men, which aligns with global observations.
Treatment: A Necessary Step
Dr. Karam's main recommendation for individuals suffering from mental health issues is to seek professional help, as this is the only way to alleviate the pressure. When asked about economic difficulties that may hinder access to treatment, he points out that organizations like IDRAAC and others offer free consultation services.
"When you realize you're suffering from a mental disorder, you should make every effort to consult a specialist, even if it means starting with your family doctor, who can refer you to someone else," he emphasizes.
Dr. Karam also stresses the importance of confronting and acknowledging the situation. "It is essential to implement comprehensive, long-term solutions at the national level," he says, noting that the Ministry of Health is participating in the conference held Thursday evening to announce the study's results and explore possible solutions. Dr. Karam plans to undertake a new study as soon as possible to further explore the findings of this one.
