Masters in Mental Health for Palestinian student

Hi, My name is Nina. I am an American Christian located in New Jersey in the United States. I first felt a call to the Holy Land region specifically Bethlehem during my undergraduate studies in order to better understand the place of the first church, a critical aspect of my faith. My connection to the region has been very strong ever since. I come from a Judeo-Christian background so my support means I am not anti-Semitic. My grandfather was born an Orthodox Jew and I identify as a devout Christian.

I first visited Bethlehem University in 2008, and I eventually befriended a student who is now professor there. In trying to be of help especially for the care of the most vulnerable, I became aware that their former student who is of Christian faith was in need of assistance in order to complete their Masters in Psychology with a focus on Mental Health care especially for children. Children are truly the most vulnerable and precious population, and they should be especially cared for -- for the sake of their future, the communities they live in, and our world. Therefore, this fundraiser was birthed.

The student graduate (un-named to protect their identity) has been accepted for a one-year Psychology Master's Degree at two universities in England (Please see acceptance letter below) starting in January however they are without funding to attend. The student's Master's in Psychology will focus on mental health for Palestinian children, a topic that is extremely critical (especially now) and often overlooked in their communities due to often lack of resources and awareness.

All funding will be sent directly to the student's graduate university.

Any gift of $100 or more will receive a bracelet gift from Bethlehem.

Please read their statement letter regarding their intention for their studies.

I thank you for your time and consideration.

"I have passion for Psychology as a subject in order to understand the theory and practice of human brain and behaviour, in particular, how humans develop different styles of thinking especially at early childhood stage, and how they develop cognitive abilities from the time they are infants. I am also interested on how traumas (at any stage of life) affect mental health, and interested in studying different tools to heal mental illness, for example, using alternative therapies such as music therapy and hypnotherapy to treat mental disorders.

As part of the masters, I will conduct a research project (dissertation) of 12,000 word-limit. This is one way where I can contribute to the Palestinian community. One possibility is to study how the occupation affect the mental health of children, and what can be done to heal those who are affected mentally using basic tools (and alternative therapies). I can also focus on those who were children during the first and second intifadas, and how they feel about it right now? And study if they develop specific behaviours. Although I can research other topics not related to the Occupation but are helpful to the community in general. I can have a better idea once we start the course to see if those are feasible or not depending on supervision and the tools provided by the University.

After my masters, I want to return to Bethlehem, to serve my community and be close to my family. I plan to become a psychologist who are able to help children overcome mental illness. I want to open my own clinic in Bethlehem and be available to listen to those who are in need for mental help. I will welcome those who are unable to pay consultation fees and I will be happy treat them for free. During these times, if anyone who has mental illness and wants to speak to a psychologist they will charge at least 100 shekels (which is around $30) for a check up or for a follow up. Given the current circumstances, this is a large amount of money that many cannot afford. I want to open my door to those who cannot afford to pay these fees. As I know very well how hard it can get when it comes to the financial situation.

Also, I believe that the mental health of the elderly really matters. In my masters, I also want to learn techniques to understand and help the elderly who suffer mental illness. Those who lost their beloved ones, or those who were neglected by their beloved ones.

Let me recall one story that is always on my mind when it comes to mental health of the elderly.

I am part of the local Scout group (Terra Santa Scout) in Bethlehem. During Covid-19 lockdown, we volunteered for 2 days to bring supplies to the only elderly hospice in Bethlehem (The Antonion Society). I remember carefully how lonely the patients were. They cried when they saw us. Some of them were telling us that they were neglected by their children. This is another issue that I would like to focus on or contribute to during my dissertation or even after.

Finally, I want to say that I have a message, a message of hope to my fellow Palestinians. I feel I want to do something helpful to my community, by studying my master, this will be one step forward towards helping those who are in need for support in their mental health."

UPDATE 1/21/24: One of the universities has offered to give 50% of the tuition if they can attend the semester which starts this month, February.

UPDATE 2/11/24: An excepted deposit was sent to the university on 2/5/24 for a hopeful start this Spring semester

UPDATE: 4/17/24: Before the semester started, the student applied and was accepted for a highly competitive scholarship that focuses on scholarship initiatives in the Holy Land region. The scholarship covers half of their tuition. We are thankful for this. The student has been studying since February in the UK for their 1 year Masters.

We will share more with donors during all steps of the way.