Overview
In light of crises and wars and the resulting displacement, loss, and psychological and social instability, large segments of children and caregivers are exposed to significant psychological pressures that negatively affect their daily lives and extend their impact to the social and psychological fabric of individuals. In addition, many children are subjected to multiple violations that affect their mental health.
In this context, and through the SAFE II Project, and within the joint efforts of INSAF Center for Rights and Development and DT Institute to promote the mental and social well-being of children affected by conflicts and their caregivers, INSAF Center implemented a series of individual and group psychosocial support sessions for children and caregivers.
The project focused on providing psychosocial support sessions aimed at increasing children’s awareness of the grave violations they may be exposed to, enhancing the mental health of marginalized and displaced children, and equipping them with skills to cope with stress and trauma. It also sought to reduce psychological pressures and anxiety levels resulting from conflict and displacement by providing a safe space for free emotional expression.
The sessions targeted children aged 7 to 14 years, particularly those who experienced crises, violations, and displacement, in addition to caregivers (mainly mothers), through individual and group sessions designed to enhance emotional expression, adaptation to psychological stress, and emotional stability. Pre- and post-psychological assessments were conducted to measure the impact of the sessions.
Background
In conditions of displacement, poverty, and armed conflict, caregivers faced high levels of psychological stress and exhaustion, which negatively affected their relationships with their children and weakened their ability to provide a healthy family environment. In addition, many children from marginalized and displaced groups suffered from various forms of violations that directly impacted their psychological and social health. They exhibited symptoms of anxiety, withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating and learning, while some displayed aggressive behaviors as a result of stress and deprivation.
One documented case, A.T.A, a girl from a marginalized group (the poorest in Yemen), was displaced with her family from Taiz Governorate to Lahj Governorate, fleeing war and seeking safety. A.T.A was deprived of her basic rights to education and play and was forced to beg and collect plastic all day to support her family. She was repeatedly subjected to harassment and severe psychological and physical violations, and on 16/7/2024, she was raped — an event that left devastating effects on her psychological state. She became withdrawn, lived in constant fear, and refused to leave the house.
Intervention
INSAF Center for Rights and Development provided psychological support programs for affected children and caregivers.
These programs included group and individual sessions for the most affected children, as well as guidance and training for caregivers on how to provide psychological support to children. In addition, assessments, follow-ups, and measurements of the interventions’ effects on the children’s psychological conditions were conducted through pre- and post-evaluations, with continuous monitoring for those in need.
Program Details
Group Sessions
The sessions were conducted over three months — five sessions in the first month, four in the second, and two in the third — with each session lasting two hours. Each session targeted 15 children aged 7–14 and 15 caregivers (women aged 20–40) from different districts.
The pre-assessment of the psychological counseling sessions, which targeted women and children separately, revealed various psychological needs. It was found that 50% of the women suffered from anxiety, low energy, excessive thinking, and insomnia, while the other 50% experienced weak self and social support. Some participants showed early signs of depressive episodes.
As for the children, pre-session assessments showed behavioral difficulties in expressing emotions, feelings of fear and insecurity, trouble concentrating, increased negative thinking, withdrawal, irritability, and difficulty adapting to their surroundings.
Post-session assessments showed noticeable improvement among both women and children. Women experienced decreased levels of anxiety, overthinking, and insomnia, along with improved feelings of social support and effective coping strategies. Children showed better emotional expression, social interaction, and environmental adaptation, with reduced problematic behaviors such as fear, withdrawal, and excessive emotional reactions, as well as a shift from negative to positive thinking.
Some participants who had experienced trauma received emotional release support and relaxation exercises to alleviate the effects of trauma. They were also trained in self-support strategies and techniques, which helped them recover and achieve psychological peace.
Individual Sessions
Individual sessions were held for some women and children referred by field monitors, in addition to cases identified during the group counseling sessions. These individuals received the necessary psychological support to help them overcome and recover, empowering them to continue their lives and face challenges with confidence and strength.
A.T.A was one of the beneficiaries of the psychological support sessions. She participated in one group support session where she learned about her rights as a child and ways to cope with trauma, such as relaxation and self-support techniques.
At the beginning of the session, A.T.A was hesitant and unresponsive, but by the end, she showed more openness, participation, and interaction with the group. Pre- and post-session assessments revealed that her awareness of her rights and protection methods increased from 40.74% before the session to 70.37% after.
A clear improvement was also observed in her psychological and social condition — she became able to express her feelings and began to interact positively with others, reflecting the session’s positive impact on her mental and social well-being.
Impact Details
Beneficiaries of the psychological support sessions found a safe and supportive space to express their feelings and ease their suffering, which contributed to achieving balance, psychological peace, and recovery from trauma. This played a major role in building skills and self-confidence. The vital role of psychological support was reflected in the lives of child survivors of violations, who became more aware of their rights.
Success Story
Before the sessions, A.T.A lived in isolation and fear, constantly recalling her trauma and refusing to leave home.
She said:
“Despite the difficulty of what I went through, I found in the psychological support sessions a safe space to express my feelings for the first time since the incident. These sessions changed my life — my fear decreased, I became more confident in myself, and I started thinking positively.”
She added:
“Now, after attending the psychological support sessions, I am more aware of my rights.”
Psychologist Shatha Abdulrahman, who conducted the sessions, confirmed that the violations children experience are not only dangerous in the moment but also leave deep, long-term impacts on their lives and futures. The absence of psychological support exacerbates these long-term effects and can result in negative behavioral patterns that persist into adulthood.
She noted that psychological support sessions are vital platforms for raising children’s awareness of their basic rights and the potential violations they might face. Introducing such sessions in these areas represents a key step in protecting children affected by violations. Their role extends beyond alleviating immediate psychological effects — they also help prevent long-term harm by providing a safe environment for emotional expression and experience sharing.
Challenges
During the implementation of psychological support sessions for children and caregivers, the project faced several major challenges, including:
- Some children were reluctant to participate or afraid to express their feelings, especially those who had experienced severe trauma. This challenge was addressed by gradually building trust through individual sessions before engaging in group activities.
- Difficulty accessing children in remote, overcrowded displacement areas. This was overcome through collaboration with schools and local community centers to provide suitable venues, along with coordination with local authorities to ensure safety.
Overcoming such challenges was essential to ensure the provision of support to children in greatest need, especially those living in hard-to-reach areas. The INSAF Center for Rights and Development showed great commitment in overcoming these challenges, reflecting the project’s ongoing dedication to providing essential support to vulnerable children and protecting their rights while promoting their mental and social well-being.
Lessons Learned
Providing psychological support sessions proved that they are not merely awareness activities but genuine recovery tools for children and caregivers affected by conflict. These sessions provide a safe space that helps participants express their emotions, adopt coping and resilience skills, and heal psychologically.
Furthermore, investing in children’s psychological support increases their awareness of their rights and strengthens their understanding of behavioral and emotional changes caused by trauma.
Additionally, psychological support benefits not only children but also directly impacts the family as a whole. Involving caregivers is a key factor in the success of psychosocial interventions, amplifying their impact on children. The continuation of such activities contributes to building long-term psychological health for entire families.
Conclusion
The project demonstrated that psychological and social interventions enable children and caregivers to overcome the psychological crises resulting from war and displacement, helping them develop positive coping strategies.
This experience highlights that psychosocial support for children and their families is not just a short-term intervention but an investment in strengthening family and community resilience in the long term.
Thanks to the donor’s support, the story of A.T.A transformed from silent suffering into a hopeful new beginning, reflecting the importance of continuing such initiatives to ensure the protection and well-being of children and their families.
Recommendations
- Continue providing psychological support sessions for children and caregivers in displacement areas and among the most affected groups to ensure long-term psychological and social adaptation.
- Integrate psychological support programs into community policies and services to ensure sustainable positive impact.
- Conduct periodic assessments to measure program impact and improve interventions according to children’s psychological needs.
- Expand the program to include more children and families in conflict and displacement areas to reach the largest possible number of beneficiaries.
- Establish safe spaces for emotional expression and social interaction, including creative and play therapy activities.
- Build the capacity of local psychological support teams to ensure program sustainability and continuous support for children and families.
- Integrate psychological support into schools and community centers to maintain consistent assistance and facilitate children’s reintegration into their educational and social environments.
