MONA TOUKA

Libya- In southern Libya, women continue to struggle with the heavy psychological burden of war, displacement, domestic violence, and social pressure. However, both societal silence and families' fear of social stigma are exacerbating the crisis. The near absence of mental health centers means many cases go untreated.

Women Struggle Under the Weight of War and Violence

Meram Salem told the story of her sister, whose life was devastated by violence: "She loved life and education. She wanted to go to a wedding, but when she returned late, my brothers would beat her, then expel her from school and lock her up. She became withdrawn and tried to escape, but she was beaten each time. Instead of taking her to a doctor, my family took her to a witch doctor, claiming she was 'bewitched.' My uncle refused psychiatric treatment because he feared being labeled 'crazy.' My sister died repeatedly: forced out of school, denied her illness, taken to a witch doctor. Finally, she left home, attempted suicide, and was hit by a car and died."

Social Stigma

Hayat Adil, who lost her home in the war, described her trauma: "I started having panic attacks, I couldn't breathe, and I felt like I was going to die. No one understood; they said I had 'weak faith.' My husband left me, claiming I was sick. But I continued treatment, and I recovered."

Despite her recovery, Adil explained that she couldn't escape social stigma: "My neighbors still call me 'crazy.' They even tell my children that madness is hereditary. My seizures have passed, but society's judgment lingers."

Postpartum Depression

Sa'da Muhammed experienced postpartum depression: "I couldn't accept my baby; I didn't have any milk, so I struggled with fear and anger. My family didn't understand, and society labeled me a 'bad mother.' Yet, this is a natural process that many women go through. No one referred me to a doctor. Over time, I started treatment and recovered."

She emphasized that society made her feel like a "failed mother" and that with the right support, things could have been different.

"Lack of Awareness Makes Problems Worse"

Psychotherapist and Head of the Social Work Office, Salime Zeydan, summarized the crisis as follows: "I've been working for 14 years, but we still have a one-room psychiatric clinic. Meanwhile, cases are increasing daily. We urgently need a comprehensive mental health center."

He explained that the most common disorders are schizophrenia, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and speech disorders in children. "Due to lack of awareness and stigma, families delay seeking treatment, which exacerbates the problems. Some still turn to witchcraft or superstitions, which further exacerbates the situation," he said.

Zeydan emphasized the importance of family awareness: "Many patients resort to charlatans or so-called 'exorcisms' instead of seeking appropriate treatment. This causes their condition to persist or worsen. Addiction problems are also common among young men and women, and withdrawal symptoms affect daily life. Increasing family awareness can prevent further deterioration."

Call for Effective Treatment

Zeydan emphasized the need to expand psychological treatment centers to normalize acceptance in society: "We call on government institutions, the media, and civil society to raise awareness, promote psychological education, support recreational programs for children and youth, reduce stress, and provide effective treatment for patients. We hope the region will soon have a comprehensive center to alleviate patient suffering and raise awareness about mental health."

"Women's Burden Must Be Acknowledged"

Psychotherapist and Director of the Office of Social and Psychological Affairs Salma Al-Yaqah highlighted the unequal burden on women: "Women today carry far more responsibilities than men, and this affects both their mental and physical health. They have learned to drive, taken on leadership roles, entered the workforce, and still manage household chores. This broadens their horizons, but it also leads to pressure and conflict within the family."

She added: "Society generally doesn't recognize that women need psychological support. Yet, even men struggle with simple daily tasks. Society's acceptance of women directly impacts their mental and physical health. It's crucial that society understands the weight of responsibilities women carry today. Patients are being prevented from seeking medical attention."