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Mental health support after war and displacement: safety first

Fahad AlmalikMedical review: Tatmeen team6 min read
شخص يجلس واضعًا رأسه في يده وسط أنقاض، وتتداخل صور مبانٍ مهدمة مع جسمه عند الغروب.
Article contents
  1. Prioritise urgent needs without trying to solve everything
  2. Fear and grief are not one diagnosis
  3. Talking remains the person's choice
  4. Children and caregivers
  5. When to seek mental health care
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. Sources and references
  8. Writer and reviewer

The fighting may stop while the loss of a home, loved ones, or income remains. Danger itself may also continue. Support after war or displacement therefore begins with a practical question: what would help you be safer today? The answer may be shelter, medicine, or a way to contact someone you know before it is a conversation about feelings.

For serious injury, sudden confusion, immediate danger to life, or an immediate risk of self-harm, seek the urgent medical help available where you are. Do not wait for a mental health appointment or assume trauma is the cause. In Saudi Arabia, the ambulance number is 9975. Elsewhere, use the local emergency number and trusted local services.

Prioritise urgent needs without trying to solve everything

Psychological first aid1 offers humane, practical support that respects a person's abilities and choices. It is not questioning them about the war, specialist therapy, or a promise to prevent PTSD.

Question A possible practical priority
Is the location safe now? Where feasible, reach a safer place with trusted help appropriate to local circumstances.
What cannot wait? Water, food, shelter, injury care, or access to essential medication.
Who can actually help? A trusted person or an established health or humanitarian service available locally.
What can be done today? One call or one question about a specific service rather than every problem at once.

If you are supporting someone, ask what they need1 instead of assuming. Waiting with them or helping them understand information may matter more than extended advice. Do not promise an unconfirmed service or outcome, or share their story or image without attention to consent and safety.

Fear and grief are not one diagnosis

War may be followed by sleep problems, recurring thoughts about events2, sadness, anger, or being startled by sudden sounds. These responses alone do not establish PTSD. Grief for someone who died may coexist with fear or other symptoms; one label need not explain the entire experience.

In ongoing danger, attention to threats should not automatically be treated as a symptom to remove. Help must consider the actual situation and address safety and needs alongside symptoms. Once circumstances are safer, intense fear or difficulty returning to activities may continue; assessment can clarify appropriate support.

Talking remains the person's choice

You can ask, “Would you like me to sit with you?” or “What would help right now?” If they want to talk, listen without comparing them3 with people who suffered more or demanding gratitude for survival. If they do not, support should not depend on telling their story.

A feasible routine, such as a meal at a similar time or a little time with someone trusted, may help. Prayer and religious practices may support you alongside water, shelter, care and needed treatment.

Children and caregivers

A child needs a dependable adult, simple truthful answers4 appropriate to their age, and whatever routine is possible. Avoid promises such as “Nothing bad will happen again” when you cannot guarantee them. Do not force discussion, reduce exposure to disturbing videos, and seek assessment for severe or disruptive changes. Supporting caregivers helps them care for children too.

When to seek mental health care

Seek care when symptoms do not improve or disrupt sleep, work, relationships, or self-care. Severe or worsening distress may need earlier help. Effective PTSD treatments exist2 when that condition is diagnosed, but the type and availability of care depend on the person and location.

An available health facility may be a starting point. Explain the current difficulty: “I have had nightmares and trouble sleeping since… and would like an assessment.” In Saudi Arabia, 937 provides general health guidance. It is not an emergency substitute or a promise of immediate service in conflict areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do sleep problems and being startled after war mean I have PTSD?

Not necessarily. War may be followed by sleep problems, recurring thoughts about events, sadness, anger, or being startled by sudden sounds. These responses alone do not establish PTSD. Grief for someone who died may coexist with fear or other symptoms, and one label need not explain the entire experience.

Where does mental health support start after war or displacement?

It begins with a practical question: what would help you be safer today? The answer may be shelter, medicine, or a way to contact someone you know before it is a conversation about feelings. Prioritise what cannot wait, such as water, food, injury care or essential medication, and take one step today: one call or one question about a specific service rather than every problem at once.

How can I support someone who has lived through war?

Ask what they need instead of assuming; waiting with them or helping them understand information may matter more than extended advice. You can ask, “Would you like me to sit with you?” If they want to talk, listen without comparing them with people who suffered more or demanding gratitude for survival. If they do not, support should not depend on telling their story. Do not promise an unconfirmed service or outcome.

How can I help a child after war or displacement?

A child needs a dependable adult, simple truthful answers appropriate to their age, and whatever routine is possible. Avoid promises such as “Nothing bad will happen again” when you cannot guarantee them. Do not force discussion, reduce exposure to disturbing videos, and seek assessment for severe or disruptive changes. Supporting caregivers helps them care for children too.

When should I seek mental health care after war?

Seek care when symptoms do not improve or disrupt sleep, work, relationships, or self-care; severe or worsening distress may need earlier help. Effective PTSD treatments exist when that condition is diagnosed. For serious injury, sudden confusion, immediate danger to life, or an immediate risk of self-harm, seek the urgent medical help available where you are. Do not wait for a mental health appointment or assume trauma is the cause. In Saudi Arabia, the ambulance number is 997; elsewhere, use the local emergency number and trusted local services.

Writing and article review

Fahad AlmalikWritten byFahad Almalik

Content writer and researcher at Tatmeen, writing in Arabic and English about mental health and everyday life, from relationships and stress to work, habits, and family.

Tatmeen teamMedical reviewTatmeen team

Every Tatmeen article is reviewed by care providers licensed by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, so what you read is accurate and trustworthy.

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