Mental health amidst chronic crises: the case of Arab countries from the Middle East

Abstract

Introduction: For decades, Arab countries in the Middle East-particularly Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria-have faced overlapping armed conflicts, political instability, economic collapse, and large-scale displacement. These protracted and compounding crises expose populations to cumulative trauma, leading to a higher prevalence of mental health disorders and long-term cognitive-emotional repercussions. In such contexts, social determinants-including poverty, insecurity, and systemic neglect-interact with trauma exposure to shape vulnerability and resilience in complex ways. The region is a critical ground for trauma and mental health research, offering insights into the effects of chronically stressful environments on both vulnerability factors and adaptive processes.

Methods: This scoping review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature published between 2014 and 2024, focusing on the mental health impact of regional conflicts in Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria-countries marked by some of the highest levels of war-related trauma exposure. Drawing from five major databases, it highlights studies examining both psychiatric disorders (e.g., PTSD, major depression) and broader cognitive-affective disruptions in individuals not meeting diagnostic criteria but exposed to chronic adversity.

Results: Findings reveal two central patterns: first, a heightened and persistent prevalence of psychiatric conditions in contexts of multi-crisis exposure, often exacerbated by systemic instability and poor access to care; second, growing documentation of emotion and cognition alterations among individuals considered "healthy," underscoring repercussions of trauma beyond disease. Despite these burdens, mental health systems remain underfunded, fragmented, and poorly integrated into broader health and social frameworks. Large-scale longitudinal studies and culturally grounded approaches remain limited across the region.

Conclusion: Mental health infrastructures in the Middle East must evolve beyond reactive, externally driven models and toward resilient, context-sensitive systems rooted in local realities. This requires increased investment in trauma-focused longitudinal research, regionally adapted tools for assessment and care, and policy mechanisms that directly translate research insights into scalable social and governmental responses. The region's complexity makes it an essential lens for global trauma research, demanding both attention and sustained support.