The earthquake in Morocco left psychological trauma on those who lived through it, and its degree varies as much as the damage caused to the person, and children were the most vulnerable to these shocks after the disaster that affected about 100,<> of them, according to UNICEF.

It is not easy to overcome this trauma, as it may turn into what is called "post-traumatic stress disorder", which is a mental health condition that includes psychological effects for a person after a frightening event or disaster, and remarkably, its symptoms may appear within a month of the accident, and in some cases appear years later.

These symptoms include remembering psychologically traumatic events, avoiding talking about memories, places and people associated with the event, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.

The health complications caused by this disorder are depression, anxiety, eating disorder, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and sufferers need psychological support from family, friends, and a mental health professional.

In its episode on (2023/9/18), Shabakat monitored cases of Moroccan children who were traumatized after the earthquake, including the case of the child Hussein (13 years old) from the Asni area in Marrakech, who lost his parents and 3 of his siblings, and he survived with a serious injury to his leg.

The tragedy left a great impact on him, which appears from his long silence, even if he speaks, so he is very hesitant and then returns to the long silence, and puts his hands behind his head as if he is sheltering from something that will fall on him, and he shows features of fear.

Speaking about his condition, a person close to the child's family said: "I have great pity for him. He no longer goes to school in great sadness, and no longer speaks, moves or goes out," he said, calling on associations to take care of him, as he was left alone without a breadwinner.

Elevated cases

Abdul Latif al-Zaghadi, director of the Tahannaout regional hospital in al-Haouz province, told the media that there has been a rise in trauma among children arriving at hospitals in the affected areas as a result of the events they experienced during and after the earthquake.

For his part, psychiatrist Ahmed Al-Karani said that the traumas experienced by those affected by the earthquake may be the result of receiving large and frightening information in a short time, as their mind cannot absorb all this in a natural way, while the intensity of introversion increases among those who have lost a loved one.

Shabakat monitored part of Moroccans' comments on the situation of children who were traumatized by the earthquake, including Ayoub's tweet about the need for psychological support for those affected, stressing that it is "very important for children; they are the men of tomorrow."

"The living are in need of psychological support," Moussa wrote. Children urinate involuntarily. Young people living in a state of psychological trauma. Relatives of the dead are suffering psychologically. Those whose homes were destroyed need a spotlight around tomorrow. The sound of the terrible earthquake still resonates with some; it prevents them from sleeping."

"Solidarity must be given to all Moroccan children who are in need of assistance, especially the homeless," she said.

"Psychological support in disasters and crises is one of the most important aspects of support and assistance needed by those who go through strong crises and severe events, whether collectively or individually, especially as we are going through now from the post-earthquake ordeal," Yousef tweeted.

UNICEF's children's rights report that Moroccan children constituted a third of the country's population in 2022, and the organization's initial estimates indicate that about 100,1960 children were affected by the earthquake, which it described as the strongest since <>.