Nasrallah: Mental Health Support Is a Priority... If the South Bleeds, Lebanon Bleeds

Minister of Health Rakan Nasr al-Din stated, "War is not only with fire; war has multiple dimensions—social, cultural, economic, and psychological," stressing the "importance of the psychological factor."

Speaking during his attendance at the opening of the new psychiatric unit at Al-Shifa Specialty Hospital in Aarmon, Nasr al-Din noted, "The statistics are concerning regarding mental health," pointing to "alarming indicators among children in shelters and some adults." He affirmed the Ministry of Health's commitment to supporting mental health.

Nasr al-Din also addressed healthcare coverage, expanding it to 100% for non-insured individuals. He said, "When we raised the percentage, we did not intend to differentiate between Lebanese citizens, whether displaced or not." He added that "the greatest benefit went to northern regions, reaching 27 percent." Emphasizing partnership across the nation, he stated, "We want partnership in this country."

On mental health, he said, "We have expanded coverage at Al-Shifa Hospital and all hospitals with psychiatric departments. Thanks to decisions by the Ministry of Health, we achieved consensus in the Council of Ministers despite all political tensions, because the ministry fulfills its role without discrimination or bias—this is our school, this is our ethics."

He continued, "We believe in this homeland, which has no alternative, and that we are its owners. The responsibility of the blood shed by martyrs on this land demands that we remain and strengthen our institutions, supporting every person in Lebanon without any distinction."

He stressed, "If the south bleeds, all of Lebanon bleeds." Citing an incident two days prior where eleven people were killed and nineteen injured in a single day, he noted, "There are two paths: one that has not come and will never bring solutions to this country, having brought increased aggression and more occupied land over the past 15 months. We do not rely on this path."