Overview

This presentation aims to provide an applied, clinically grounded understanding of how individuals and communities experience, adapt to, and survive ongoing mass trauma in contexts of war, displacement, political violence, and genocide (as acknowledged by international organisations).

Drawing on the Palestinian experience, particularly Gaza, this presentation will offer insights into resilience as a dynamic, culturally embedded process rather than an individual trait.

This presentation places trauma within chronic, repeated, and collective exposure, rather than discrete traumatic events.

Emphasis is placed on:

• Continuous traumatic stress (CTS) rather than post-traumatic frameworks alone
• The erosion and reconstruction of safety, identity, and future orientation
• The role of community, family, and cultural meaning systems in sustaining psychological survival

The Palestinian context will be used as a case example, with parallels drawn to other global conflict zones.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to gain a better understanding of: 

• Mass Trauma in the Context of Conflict Zones
• Psychological Impacts Across the Lifespan
• Resilience as a Collective and Cultural Process
• Coping Mechanisms in Conditions of Ongoing Threats
• Culturally Responsive and Community-Based Interventions
• Ethical and Professional Considerations

Presenter(s)

Dr. Yasser Abu-Jamei

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Yasser Abu-Jamei: Yasser Abu-Jamei is avPalestinian psychiatrist who heads the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), the leading independent Palestinian non-governmental organization providing mental health services to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and training for mental health professionals. He became Director General of GCMHP in January 2014, following the death of its founder, Dr. Eyad El Sarraj. In 2012, he obtained a MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry (with distinction) from the University of Birmingham in the UK, Dr. Abu-Jamei is a member of the Task Force which developed the National Mental Health Strategy 2015-2019 in Palestine. He co-led the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group in Gaza Strip and in 2020 co-founded the Palestine Global Mental Health Network. His interests include capacity building, neuropsychiatry, and advocacy. In addition to his research and authorship or co-authorship of some twenty academic papers, he has been certified as a Trainer of Trainers in the field of supervision and care for caregivers by the Free University of Berlin. Dr. Abu-Jamei has received several honors, including the Best Alumnus Award from the Said Foundation (2015), the Alumnus of the Year award from the University of Birmingham (2016) and the Community Resilience Award from the Rebuilding Alliance (2021).

Notes

Target Audience

This event is aimed at Psychologists working across all sectors.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the Zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, event-recording, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered within 2 weeks post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.