Intrigued by the sounds coming from outside her balcony, 41-year-old Darine* listened more closely. She overheard a woman explaining that they were from the Syrian Society for Social Development association, and they were offering psychosocial support through awareness sessions. This was how Darine first learned about the programme offered by Tearfund’s local partners in Syria which was set up to deliver comprehensive mental health and psychosocial support services to the people in her village.
Stress management, self care and building resilience
Through group awareness sessions, focused on topics like stress management, depression, self-care, anxiety, how to deal with and overcome frustration and failure, and resilience building, the programme aimed to help individuals recover from the trauma of over 13 years of crises – including the devastating 2023 earthquake and the profound impact it has had on mental wellbeing.
Darine, a married mother of three, had always strived to cope with life's challenges. But when one of her children faced a serious issue, her world shattered, plunging her into a deep depression. She withdrew from life, quit her job as a nurse, and rarely left her home. Sleep evaded her, a constant weight of sadness pressing down, and she lost interest in the things she once loved.
Tension eased and a glimmer of hope…
With all of this, the programme made Darine curious and she decided to attend the next day's session on stress management, even though, at first, she didn't believe anything could help her. But, after four sessions, she gradually started to learn new ways to manage her emotions. Tension eased in her shoulders as she practiced deep breathing each morning, and a glimmer of hope flickered within her.
A month later, Darine started to break free from her isolation and reconnect with friends and relatives.
‘Returning to my job was a crucial step in my recovery,’ she says. ‘I felt I was regaining my purpose in life and could once again support others.
‘It was not easy for me. It required daily effort and commitment to what I had learned in the sessions. However, I am happy with how I am now,’ she adds with a grateful smile.
Darine’s husband expressed his feelings too, saying, ‘We're finally seeing the Darine we know. She went through a very difficult time, but now we see her smile again. Thank you so much for your support.’
Darine's transformation resonated with her family. Her eldest son shared, ‘Mom used to be so sad all the time. Now she plays games with us and helps me with my homework. I'm so happy!’
