Drama Therapy as a Mental Health Intervention for Women in the Shatila Refugee Camp, Lebanon

Shatila camp is the largest refugee camp in Lebanon and home to many refugees needing psychological support as a result of war and postmigration stress. However, there is a severe lack of mental healthcare resources and strong social stigma towards psychological and psychiatric interventions.

This field report describes four drama therapy programmes implemented by Intisar Foundation between 2018 and 2019 in Shatila camp. The first is an intensive five-phase programme that tackled trauma and improved wellbeing. The second, a follow-up, is a long-term programme aimed at providing continued community support. Approaches and techniques used in drama therapy are presented. The impact of the programmes is shown through compiled qualitative findings from over 50 interviews, focus group discussions and subsequent programme reports.

The findings include emotional regulation, benefits of movement and exercise, a sense of belonging and changes within the family after the intervention. Drama therapy can be an effective psychological intervention for refugee women as it provides inclusive care and avoids stigma. 

Erratum: In the article titled “Drama Therapy as a Mental Health Intervention for Women in the Shatila Refugee Camp, Lebanon”, published on pages 58-64, Issue 1, Volume 20 of Intervention Journal of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Conflict Affected Area, the author name, HH Sheikha Intisar AlSabah, and the affiliation “BA in Political Science, Founder and Senior Researcher, Intisar Foundation, London, United Kingdom” were missed in the author list.

The correct list of authors and their affiliations should read as below:

Sara Sakhi1, Lina Haddad Kreidie2, Farah Wardani3, Karima Anbar4, HH Sheikha Intisar AlSabah5

1BSc, Middlesex University Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2PhD, University of CA, Irvine, USA

3MA, The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon

4MA, École Normale Supérieure De Lyon, Lyon, France

5BA in Political Science, Founder and Senior Researcher, Intisar Foundation, London, United Kingdom

DOI: 10.4103/1571-8883.359984