Samah Jabr discusses Palestinian mental health trauma

Palestinian psychiatrist Samah Jabr and Maria Nadotti have released a new book, ‘Trauma infinito. Una psichiatra palestinese racconta’, which explores the psychological impact of the Israeli occupation. Jabr, a former head of the mental health unit for the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health, details how the occupation affects the mental well-being of Palestinians, describing it as an invasion that moves from the land to the mind.

The book includes clinical case studies from Jabr’s practice in East Jerusalem, illustrating collective trauma across generations. Examples include a teenager in the West Bank experiencing food aversion due to images from Gaza, and a young girl suffering physical symptoms following her father's arrest. Jabr also discusses the personal and professional challenges faced by Palestinians, such as the difficulties of international travel and the lack of secure spaces.