“The safe place was the one I left”: Centring mental health in displacement

Join us for a conversation inspired by The Lebanon Displacement Diaries, a participatory journalism project by The New Humanitarian that centres the voices of those uprooted by the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Through the words of 10 displaced people, as well as personal photos, videos, and illustrations, the diaries document what it means to flee violence – and how life continues long after the headlines fade. One key takeaway for the team behind the project: the emotional toll of displacement is profound, and often overlooked.

Together with practitioners and researchers involved in mental health, protection, and community-based responses, the team behind The Lebanon Displacement Diaries reflect on how the aid sector can better support the emotional and psychosocial needs of those living through prolonged crises – and what meaningful insights the project can bring to humanitarian action in Lebanon and beyond.

The event was moderated by Annie Slemrod, director and editor, The Lebanon Displacement Diaries, Middle East editor, The New Humanitarian, who was joined by:

• Sarah Mawed, Gender-based violence protection officer at Danish Refugee Council
• Zainab Chamoun, coordinator, Lebanon Displacement Diaries, journalist and researcher
• Jasmin Lilian Diab, director, Institute for Migration Studies, Lebanese American University
• Mona Sawli, mental health and psychological support field officer in Lebanon, ICRC