Despite his message that if nothing is done PTSD can become chronic, few parents have gotten involved. "Parents say, ‘Don’t complicate my children.’ They say it is just a stage and that their children will outgrow it.
" Muslim adults mostly believe that if you have problems, you go to the mufti," a religious man, "who because of his special relationship with Allah has healing powers. Many feel that if he simply lays his hands on you, you will get better."
Forty percent of the teachers he has been in contact with, on the other hand, are taking the children’s problems seriously, as are most of the students.
" Another one of our problems is the negative media about Muslims. In movies, when they appear, they are usually the villains," Hassan said. He dug out a report that listed many American movies that show Arabs as unusually lustful, and/or terrorists. He believes these negative images have affected Arab adults and teenagers and indirectly are helping to destroy children’s positive attitudes toward themselves as Arabs.
One of the problems is to find ways of improving children’s self-esteem. "We try to use a holistic approach with the children in which their religion is an important part. We start with the fact that they are religious and spiritual and that Allah has given them unique qualities."
Religion has become important partly because so much else has been taken away, but it was interesting to note that many psychotherapy techniques proven to be effective work well within a religious orientation. Hassan shared how he had incorporated positive self-talk, relaxation procedures, group support and reframing the problem in religious terms.
Invisible or not to the rest of the world, it is obvious that these children are suffering the negative effects of an ongoing conflict. As the political situation in Israel resolves itself, these Israeli Arabs will become visible to the rest of the world.
Hassan has invited the University Hospital Trauma Center team to conduct trauma training in Israel, and the center is seriously looking into funding opportunities to accomplish this important task.