Sustainable mental health systems in northwest Syria after the earthquakes

As a result of the war in Syria, humanitarian mental health responses have been functioning in northwest Syria and south Türkiye since 2011. Substantial time and resources have supported the development of a mental health workforce that can effectively respond to local needs. The already fragile situation in northwest Syria is now compounded by the earthquakes, which have so far killed more than 50 000 people and affected local MHPSS and other humanitarian staff living and working in the affected areas.

This correspondence argues that international actors seeking to help should ensure that the external resources they provide support existing, local MHPSS structures as a priority. This will ensure that earthquake support can be most effective in the short term and long term by supporting future sustainability.