LEBANON (Enmaeya News) - October 17, 2025
UNESCO, together with Japan and Lebanon’s Ministry of Education, launched a national Mental Health and Psychosocial Support program for public school students and teachers affected by ongoing crises on October 10, according to a UNESCO press release.
The program, unveiled at the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD) in Jounieh, aims to reach 10,000 students across 50 public schools.
It is part of a broader effort to improve learning conditions and strengthen psychosocial resilience in Lebanon’s struggling education sector.
Under the initiative, CERD will collaborate with UNESCO to develop age-appropriate psychosocial materials for primary-level students.
Teachers will also receive training on how to incorporate mental health support into everyday classroom practices, with a dual focus on student wellbeing and teacher support.
The program also features extracurricular activities designed to promote emotional recovery and community engagement.
These include orchestral workshops led by Beirut Chants El-Sistema for students from crisis-affected communities, as well as environmental and artistic projects through the National Green Demonstration Room. Team sports will also be used to support mental health and social integration.
Education Minister Dr. Rima Karami said the project aligns with MEHE’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes both academic learning and emotional wellbeing. “Resilient education systems must care for the whole child,” she said at the launch.
UNESCO’s Beirut office stressed the importance of supporting students and educators in crisis environments. Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon described education as a “lifeline” that helps restore dignity and promote peace.
The partners say the MHPSS program represents a step toward integrating mental health into Lebanon’s public education system, ensuring that schools serve not only as centers for learning but also as spaces for healing and stability.
