Psycho-Social Support Services for Children and Families Attending Schools Affected by Beirut Blast

This project addressed the psychosocial needs of 600 children and families attending three semi-private schools in Beirut that were affected by the explosion. Educational psychologists provided a long-term intervention response to families and teachers through regular school visits and remote interventions. The interventions aimed at supporting caregivers and children in coping with post-traumatic stress disorders by helping them regulate their physiological, emotional, and behavioral reactions. Learners with special needs were also referred to specialized services. Teachers and frontline personnel, who are constantly dealing with various types of vulnerabilities during Lebanon’s period of stress and uncertainty were given well-being and self-care training. Catch-up programs were also provided to learners enrolled in semi-private schools by their teachers in order to close pre-existing gaps resulting from school interruptions.