Students Organize for Syria hosted the “Psychiatry in Syria” panel on Oct. 22 in the Central Campus Classroom Building in collaboration with the The Muslim Coalition and Wolverine Shifa. Featuring Wayne State University’s Dr. Arash Javanbakt, Dr. Loubna Alkhayat and Dr. Marya McCarroll, the panel addressed the psychological impact of conflict and displacement on Syrian communities.
While discussions surrounding war often focus on physical destruction and casualties, the psychological consequences can continue long after individuals are removed from immediate danger. Experiences of violence, family separation, displacement and uncertainty can affect mental health and complicate the process of rebuilding one’s life.
During the panel discussion, the speakers were asked about the most common psychological effects of prolonged exposure to war, violence and displacement. Alkhayat, an assistant professor of counselor education at Wayne State University, emphasized how the effects of trauma can extend beyond the individual experiencing it.
“When it comes to trauma, it doesn’t stay in one individual; it moves through the household,” Alkhayat said. “Some suffer from (post-traumatic stress disorder): The symptoms don’t only affect them; it affects everyone in the household.”
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 22% of people who have experienced war or conflict within the past decade live with a mental health disorder. The organization also identifies grief and acute stress among the psychological challenges associated with humanitarian emergencies.
In addition to the psychological effects of trauma, the panelists discussed how cultural attitudes toward mental health can influence whether individuals feel comfortable seeking support. Alkhayat highlighted how stigma and fear of judgment can prevent open conversation about mental health within many Syrian communities.
“It is a foreign language. You’re either crazy or normal — there’s no in between,” Alkhayat said. “A big part of it is the way we talk about mental health. There is a fear of being judged by the community.”
Addressing these barriers requires more than simply encouraging individuals to seek help. Javanbakht, a psychiatrist and director of the Stress, Trauma and Anxiety Research Clinic at Wayne State University, stressed the importance of understanding cultural backgrounds and creating environments where people feel comfortable discussing their experiences.
“There is a lot of trauma when it comes to mental health. At the end of the day, when you can connect with the human at a human level, it makes it easier,” Javanbakht said. “You have to make it culturally relevant in order for people to feel comfortable enough to talk and open up.”
The discussion also explored how individuals can support loved ones who may be struggling with their mental health. While people often feel compelled to immediately offer advice or solutions, the panelists explained that this approach may not always provide the support someone needs.
McCarrol, a psychologist with a background in art therapy, encouraged audience members to recognize the importance of listening rather than rushing to find solutions.
“We as people can help by listening, even if we aren’t professional. We tend to rush in to help when people are telling us about trauma; ‘Oh but look on the bright side.’” McCaroll said. “But that response is usually because it’s uncomfortable for us to sit through their pain. We should try to just listen in, instead of rushing to give them a solution.”
LSA freshman Layan Azrak, whose parents are Syrian immigrants, attended the panel and reflected on how the discussion changed her understanding of offering emotional support to others.
“Usually people automatically try to comfort others to make them stop thinking about it, but it’s actually okay to just be there and listen to what events they went through and validate their emotions rather than telling them to cover it up,” Azrak said.
While the stigma around mental health remains a challenge, the event provided an opportunity for students to engage in conversations that may be overlooked within their own communities.
Noor Hiba, Students Organize for Syria co-education chair, discussed how her experience growing up in a Syrian-American household influenced her interest in organizing the panel.
“Personally, as a Syrian American, I know the struggles of culture surrounding mental health,” she said. “For instance, I know growing up, mental health wasn’t really a thing. Honestly, it still isn’t now but I do understand and recognize that it is a real issue.”
Hiba’s experience reflects one of the central issues raised during the discussion: the difficulty of navigating mental health conversations when cultural expectations and generational attitudes may discourage individuals from speaking openly.
For Hiba, organizing the event was an opportunity to bring greater awareness to an issue she believes deserves more attention within the Syrian community.
“I think it is so important for us as Syrians, as people that have experience in that culture with that language, to bring that issue to life because it is important to discuss. It’s unfortunate that it’s overlooked, but thankfully we got to talk about it and really be authentic about issues that we tend to neglect,” she said.
MiC Columnist Kinana Abdalla can be reached at kinana@umich.edu.
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