In line with objective 6.1.2 of the “Inter-ministerial Substance Use Response Strategy for Lebanon 2016-2021”, a qualitative assessment of the needs of women with substance use disorders was conducted to explore their perceived needs and experiences while receiving services. The purpose is to provide recommendations for proper tailoring of the services for the specific needs of women. 
  This report presents results, main findings and recommendations from the assessment conducted in August-September 2013 for the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services provided for Syrian refugees in Lebanon commissioned by UNHCR. The objectives of this assessment were:
-Reviewing existing data on MHPSS provided for Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
-Mapping the NGOs providing MHPSS services in Beirut, Bekaa, South and North Lebanon (4Ws).
-Assessing the conformity of programmes and services to international guidelines such as IASC guidelines, Psychological First Aid and the WHO mental health Gap Action Programme intervention guide (mhGAP-IG), taking into consideration the accessibility, the acceptability, the affordability and the quality of care.
-Assessing the coordination between different actors.
-Analysing existing models, highlighting the gaps, reflecting on the particular context of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and provide practical recommendations to UNCHR.

Assessment of mental health and psychosocial support services for Syrian refugees in Lebanon

This paper describes national-level mental health responses to COVID-19 in Lebanon. It then notes factors that have supported the mental health response, including how COVID-19 represents a window of opportunity to help strengthen the mental health system in Lebanon.
 
To read the article, click on the following link: Link This article, published in the Humanitarian exchange, shares Lebanon’s experience and lessons learned in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) response coordination following the Syrian crisis. Lessons learned and key considerations for MHPSS coordination are put forth.
To read the article, click on the following link: Link
  These two letters to the Editor, published in the Lancet Journal, provide an overview of the situation in Lebanon amidst the Syrian crisis and the resilience of the health system against all odds. They particularly shed light on the establishment of a national mental health programme and the launching of a mental health system reform in Lebanon, as an example of turning adversity into positive change. The factors that have led to this growth are highlighted. The authors nevertheless warn about the importance of bearing in mind the major impact that social determinants have on mental health and stress that effective action for mental health will be hindered unless these determinants, such as ongoing conflict, displacement and socio-political injustices, are addressed.

1.Syrian crisis and mental health system reform in Lebanon-Correspondence- Vol384- Lancet Journal-August2014
 2.Mental health reform in Lebanon and the Syrian crisis. Correspondence- Vol3- Lancet Journal-March2016 This article indicates that evidence on substance use in Lebanon shows an increase in usage, limited availability and accessibility to evidence-based services, and high level of stigma and discrimination. In line with the “Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy for Lebanon 2015–2020”, the Ministry of Public Health initiated the process of developing a strategy focused on substance use response to address these challenges in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, Interior and Municipalities, Justice and Social Affairs. The result of this process was a strategy launched jointly by the ministries including six domains of action covering the whole spectrum of substance use response with strategic objectives addressing the identified challenges.

Download Developing an inter-ministerial substance use response strategy for Lebanon: process, content and lessons learned This article, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, provides an overview of the mental health situation in Lebanon amidst the Syrian crisis. Research involving refugees conducted in Lebanon since the onset of the Syrian crisis points to a clear increase in mental disorders in the young and adult Syrian refugee population in association with that crisis. At the policy level, despite the great strain on its health system, Lebanon has undertaken a reform of the mental health system through the implementation of a 5-year national mental health strategy which aims at improving the opportunities for better mental health and wellbeing for all persons living in Lebanon, regardless of nationality.

Download ​Lebanon: mental health system reform and the Syrian crisis

On the occasion of World suicide Prevention Day 2020, this policy brief was launched by the NMHP, WHO, Embrace with the support of AFD, highlighting key statistics in Lebanon, what needs to be done, and what has been done so far.

Decreasing suicide is a target of the 2030 sustainable development agenda and the global mental health action plan. If not addressed, suicide has huge impact on individuals, families, societies, and humanity as a whole. 

To read the brief:  English / Arabic

An external independent mid-term evaluation of the “Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy for Lebanon 2015-2020” was conducted with the following objectives:

• To assess the level of the implementation of the strategy and the progress towards the achievement of the expected results
• To asses the efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation through examining conducive factors as well as challenges that need to be addressed.
• To provide recommendations for the effective and efficient implementation and monitoring of the remaining part of the strategy towards mental health reform.

To read the executive summary of the report, click on the link below:
Executive summary of the external mid-term evaluation report of the Lebanon National Mental Health Strategy

To read the full report, click on the link below:
Report of the external mid-term evaluation of the Lebanon National Mental Health Strategy

The mapping of services report provides a snapshot of existing services for substance use disorders in Lebanon in 2017, from prevention to treatment, rehabilitation, harm reduction and social re-integration. This is a descriptive report on the geographical distribution, target population, and human resources that provide these services. The findings constitute an essential tool for building a national referral system and for planning the scale-up of services.

Mapping of services for response to substance use disorders - 2017  Map of organizations providing substance use and rehabilitation services in Lebanon

Substance use and rehabilitation services map- Lebanon
 

The mapping of services report provides a snapshot of existing services for substance use disorders in Lebanon in 2017, from prevention to treatment, rehabilitation, harm reduction and social re-integration. This is a descriptive report on the geographical distribution, target population, and human resources that provide these services. The findings constitute an essential tool for building a national referral system and for planning the scale-up of services.

Mapping of services for response to substance use disorders - 2017  Map of organizations providing substance use and rehabilitation services in Lebanon

Substance use and rehabilitation services map- Lebanon
 

This is the first report of the National Observatory on Drugs and Drug Addiction on the drug situation in Lebanon The report focuses on drug prevalence, market, policy, treatment and prevention in Lebanon. The reporting period extends between 2000 and 2016 inclusive.

To view the report, please click on the following link:
NODDA report- 2017