Healing minds and restoring hope: How The Lotus Flower champions mental health and wellbeing in displaced communities

Each year, World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental health is a universal right, and yet for millions of displaced women and children, it remains an unmet need. At The Lotus Flower, we see every day how conflict and displacement take a toll on mental and emotional well-being. That’s why our mission takes a holistic approach to working with the communities we serve.

A holistic approach to mental health

In the communities we serve across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Iraq, mental health care must be both accessible and culturally grounded. Whether working with Syrian refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), or out-of-camp populations, we are guided by the globally recognised Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Intervention Pyramid. 

Our programmes are designed to reach people where they are, ensuring that most needs are met at the community level while reserving specialized care for individuals with deeper mental health needs. This four-tiered model helps us tailor interventions through:

Tier 1: Safe spaces and essential services that restore dignity and trust.

Tier 2: Community networks that strengthen belonging and collective healing.

Tier 3: Focussed psychosocial support through life skills, trauma-informed workshops, and group sessions.

Tier 4: One-on-one and group therapy led by professional psychotherapists.

Each layer reinforces the next, ensuring that mental health care is integrated, inclusive, and sustainable.

Psychosocial support Activity - The Lotus Flower’s Mosul Centre

Healing through creativity and connection

To mark World Mental Health Day, 25 children at the Mosul Centre were invited to explore emotions through creative art therapy, as part of our Strong Minds Healthy Hearts project, supported by CARE Iraq. What emerged was more than artwork - it was laughter, confidence, and connection. Through colour and imagination, the children were supported to rebuild their emotional resilience, and rediscover joy.

Psychosocial support Activity - The Lotus Flower’s Mosul Centre

Psychosocial support takes many forms in our centres. Self-care and wellbeing activities support 400 children and youth through a variety of creative and physical activities. Participants can engage in art therapy sessions, such as painting and crafts, yoga and relaxation exercises, music therapy activities, and gardening. These spaces allow participants to process trauma safely and begin rebuilding their sense of normalcy after conflict.

Breaking the silence on suicide prevention

Our work also extends into critical awareness. Under the General Protection Project, TLF hosts Suicide Prevention Awareness sessions to help participants understand emotional distress and recognise warning signs.

One mother, Khalida, shared how attending these sessions after her daughter’s suicide attempt transformed her fear into empowerment:

 “When I came to the centre after my daughter attempted suicide, I felt extreme worry, fear, and deep sadness. But after attending the awareness sessions, I began to feel reassured and calm because I learned how to handle any suicidal thoughts my daughter or anyone else in the family might have. I now recognize the signs of suicide and know how to intervene safely… This gave me a sense of control and greater confidence in my ability to protect my daughter.”

Stories like Khalida’s remind us that knowledge saves lives - and that community-based mental health support can help replace despair with hope.

Suicide Prevention Awareness - The Lotus Flower’s Shariya District Centre

Caring for those who care 

Our staff are at the heart of this work, often carrying the weight of the stories they hear. To support them, The Lotus Flower introduced a dedicated Self-Care Day to support staff well-being and resilience. The initiative provides intentional time for rest, reflection, and personal renewal — including psychological support and self-care awareness workshops - reinforcing that caring for our team is as vital as caring for the communities we serve.

This policy embodies our core values of compassion, empowerment, and respect, ensuring staff have space to recharge, set healthy boundaries, and feel valued. Since its introduction, morale has improved, stress has lessened, and open conversations about mental health have become part of everyday culture. 

A commitment beyond a day

World Mental Health Day is a vital moment for awareness, but at The Lotus Flower, mental health is a year-round priority. Every safe space we build, every session we hold, and every story of resilience we witness brings us closer to a world where displaced women and children not only survive, but have the tools they need to heal, learn and thrive.