KCL Action Palestine are proud to present “The Ugly Truth about Palestine:
Trauma and Health ”, with guest speakers Dr Swee Ang and Prof. Edgar Jones and an exclusive Gazan perspective. More speakers to be announced.

The situation in Palestine is not only a political problem, but a violation of human rights and international law. For this reason, we believe it is necessary to highlight the problems of health in Palestine that are constantly overlooked. The victims of trauma in Gaza alone are overwhelming with 277 Palestinians killed and 28,014 injured, from 30th March 2018 to 30th March 2019 according to WHO. This figure does not take in to consideration those affected in other areas of Palestine or the psychological effects of trauma. Psychological trauma is rarely treated in Palestine as critical care and stabilisation of physical health takes priority, as it should. However, it is essential that psychological health problems are addressed as Palestine has one of the highest rates of mental illness in the world. A quarter of Palestinian adolescents have attempted suicide; about 23.2% have post- traumatic stress disorder (according to a survey of 1,369 over three years). Furthermore, the Palestinian territories have the highest depression rates in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Therefore, it is essential that we discuss this humanitarian issue of health.

This event looks at addressing the medical problems of faced in Palestine with a focus on mental health as it is the unspoken problem of health. We hope to highlight oppressor and victim psychology and its impacts on civilian mental health on a wider scale. We believe that understanding the effects on the health of the Palestinian people is vital to understanding why we can no longer allow this to continue. The Palestinian problem is first and foremost a humanitarian problem.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Dr Swee Ang is an Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeon at Royal London Hospital. She has worked with Palestinian civilians for a number of years. She will give us an insight into her first-hand experience work in and around Palestine.

Professor Edgar Jones is a professor in the history of medicine and psychiatry, he is head of department for the study of war and psychiatry at King’s College London. He will give us an insight in to research surrounding the topic of trauma and mental health in Palestine. He will discuss psychotherapy for war victims and civilian trauma and the impact of warfare, disasters and political repression.

We are also hoping to have a few other speakers such as counselling trauma psychologist, doctors from Gaza that will give us an insight into health in Gaza, all speakers will be confirmed shortly.

This event will be in The Tower lecture theatre, King’s Building on the Guy’s Campus at King’s College London. It will start at 6pm on Thursday 5th December.

The event is open to all members of the King’s community and members of the public. Please note that priority will be given to members of KCL Action Palestine, and then other London Palestine societies.

Please ensure you have a free Eventbrite ticket:

*TICKETS ARE LIMITED SO GET YOURS SOON*

Please contact us via Facebook (KCL Action Palestine) or by email at kclactionpalestine@gmail.com to enquire about accessibility requirements.