ASHTAR Theatre is launching an intervention in the West Bank, Palestine, providing immediate relief to express and mitigate the traumatic impact of the current war on Gaza. In parthership with Palestinian psychologists, ASHTAR will deliver psycho-social interventions for children, youth and adults using theatre and art as a medium for trauma release in schools & youth centres.

Palestinian lives are being ended on a mass scale as well as the psychological foundations are at stake and the psycho-social wellbeing is severely compromised. People are traumatised, anxious, tense, depressed, chronically exhausted, paralysed, facing instability, lack of security and uncertainty every day.

In collaboration with Palestinian psychologists, theatre makers and youth caregivers, we have adopted a holistic approach to address the multifaceted trauma experienced by children, youth, and adults in Palestine. The campaign consists of four simultaneous approaches: art therapy interventions for children, psychology workshops, training of trainers, referrals to in-depth psychological support.

The target of the campaign is to benefit hundreds children in Palestine alleviating effects of trauma, rebuilding psychological foundations and fostering resilience. It will create a space and capacity to continue emotional support in school-based environments as well as establish a network of trained facilitators able to expand the impact beyond this campaign. Another impact would be the increased awareness about mental health within the Palestinian society.