A Palestinian society that respects human rights and in which people live in dignity, free of oppression, and feel that their well-being is promoted

Our Mission.

To develop GCMHP as knowledge-based institution to enhance the capacity of the community in dealing with mental health problems based on the principles of justice, humanity, and respect for human rights.

Our Strategy.

To develop the mental well-being of Palestinian community through working with three major target groups: children, women, and victims of organized violence.

General Information.
The Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) is a Palestinian non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 1990 to provide comprehensive community mental health services - therapy, training and research - to the population of the Gaza Strip.
Since that time, the Gaza Strip - one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with two thirds of the population being refugees and 50% being younger than 16 years - has witnessed extreme forms of violence and suffering, due to Israeli occupation and military operations. This made the extent of mental health problems in the Gaza reach unprecedented levels. To find further information, please link:
http://www.gcmhp.net/File_files/Crisis Intervention

Today, after 15 years, GCMHP remains the leading organization in Palestine in providing psycho-social programs, adopting a comprehensive, community based approach for working with children, women, and victims of human rights violations.

Aims
Over the years, GCMHP has become a knowledge based institution, being a resource of knowledge for the whole community. This means, that - in addition to providing services - GCMHP is enhancing the community's capacity in dealing with mental health problems. For further information, please link: www.gcmhp.net/File files/Clinices.html

The main objectives of the GCMHP are to:
- Empower vulnerable groups in the society, especially women, children and torture survivors.
- Develop local human resources through mental health training programs.
- Provide humane and high quality community- based mental health services.
- Promote principles of democracy and human rights in the Palestinian society.
- Combat the stigma attached to mental illness in the Palestinian society.
- Influence the political and legal environment in and outside Palestine to respect Palestinian human rights and promote their mental well-being.

To achieve these goals, we reach out to the people: until today, over 17,000 people have taken part in our therapeutic programs. Hundreds of workshops and thousands of public meetings on mental health and human rights issues have been conducted. GCMHP is expanding its advocacy and networking, cooperating with other Palestinian and international governmental and non-governmental organizations. For further information, please link: www.gcmhp.net/training.htm
Over twenty research studies on children, women and human rights issues have been conducted, regarding different psycho-social aspects of Palestine life. The aims of research are: to evaluate our work, to find out about the impact of GCMHP's work on the community, and to explore further needs of the community for assistance in mental health issues. The research also aims to study different aspects and factors in psychosocial environment. For further information, please link:
www.gcmhp.net/research1.htm

To expand knowledge and professionalism within the community, GCMHP offers, in cooperation with Islamic University in Gaza and seven international universities, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Community Mental Health - unique of its kind in the region. Every year, about 15 graduates finish their studies about Community Mental Health and Human Rights, most of whom started to work on mental health or psycho-social issues in the local community.

Working Fields

GCMHP provides mental health services, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups such as children, women and victims of torture and human rights violations.

Children: Since little Ahmad's home in Beit Hanoun was demolished, he doesn't want to play outside anymore - GCMHP professionals provide trauma counseling for him and his family

The children's team provides therapeutic and preventive services to reduce the level of mental health related problems. The team's work includes the therapeutic approach of play therapy as well as community activities with parents, teachers, school counselors, and other professionals working with children.
Advocacy on children's rights is taking place, both locally and internationally, to protect them from violence. For further information, please link: www.gcmhp.net/File_files/Children.html

Women:
Fatima, whose husband is in prison, has to raise her seven children alone. WEP professionals provide psycho-social support for Fatima and her family.

The Women's Empowerment Project (WEP) is providing rehabilitation, psychological care and training, and other services to women who come to one of our three centers, seeking help for a wide range of problems, such as health issues, family planning, early marriage or violence against them. In addition, WEP is active in raising women's awareness in political issues such as elections, political participation and other legal and political matters. For further information, please link: www. gcmhp.net/women.htm

Human Rights:
Kamal, an ex-detainee who has experienced torture in prison still suffers from nightmares and fear.
GCMHP professionals help Kamal to overcome his trauma.

GCMHP is giving special consideration to Palestinian victims of human rights violations, particularly those who have experienced detention in prison and its accompanying torture, both at the physical and psychological level.
We strongly believe that there is a correlation between human rights and mental health, because sound mental health cannot be gained under violent circumstances, and human rights will not be respected in a society exposed to ongoing trauma.

To alleviate the impact of torture and organized violence in the Gaza Strip, GCMHP helps victims coping with traumatic experiences; build the community professionals' capacity to deal with the effects of imprisonment and torture and works towards preventing human rights violations. GCMHP staff also conduct visits to prisoners and prison staff to provide counseling. Not only intervention sessions for prisoners are conducted, but also training, education and awareness is provided for officers and staff. Improving the conditions in prisons is part of the campaigns to advocate for prisoners' human rights issues. For further information, please link: www.gcmhp.net/File_files/HR1.html