A Moment of Relief: Supporting Adolescents Through Play and Connection

"After everything we’ve been through, it felt so good to hear my friends laughing again. The whole time felt like a break from all the fear and worry” says Samira, a 12-year-old, Lebanese community member.

In the heart of Taalabaya, an area in Zahle that has endured the stress and fear of the recent conflict in Lebanon, Medair’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team organized a recreational session aimed at helping adolescents between the ages of 10 and 13 find relief, laughter, and a sense of normalcy. The session took place at the Averoes Taalabaya College, located right across from a Medair-supported primary healthcare centre.  

For many of these young participants, whose daily lives have been shaped by crises, conflict and uncertainty, this gathering offered a rare and much-needed opportunity to simply feel like kids again. The session began with gentle stretching exercises, designed to ease physical tension and mentally prepare the group for the activities ahead. It was a light-hearted way to get everyone moving and connected before diving into the main games of the session. From the start, the energy was high—every smile, every burst of laughter, contributed to a positive atmosphere in the room, momentarily overshadowing the anxiety these children often carry with them.

One of the most engaging games involved choosing a team leader who came up with simple movements—like clapping, stomping, or waving their hands—which the rest of the group would follow. Meanwhile, one participant would temporarily leave the room and, upon returning, had to guess who the leader was based on the unified movements. The game sparked a lot of laughter, curiosity, and teamwork. It allowed the children to shift their focus away from stress and toward playful interaction, encouraging observation skills, attention, and group unity.

The second activity focused on object guessing. A new team leader was tasked with describing an object by stating a few key features, while the rest of the group tried to guess what it was by suggesting different characteristics. Most of the objects described were things the children used in their everyday lives, which made the game both relatable and inclusive. This exercise not only boosted their cognitive thinking and vocabulary but also created a space for them to listen to one another and contribute without judgment—a simple but powerful form of emotional support. Even those who seemed distant were quietly encouraged by the volunteers to participate, promoting comfort and openness between the group of participants.  

"After everything we’ve been through, it felt so good to hear my friends laughing again. The whole time felt like a break from all the fear and worry” says Samira, a 12-year-old Lebanese community member and participant of the session. She continues, “Even though things were scary for a while, today made me realize how important it is to have moments like this where we can just enjoy being together. I think these kinds of moments will help us move forward and stay strong, no matter what happens next."

Recreational games and activities play a vital role in supporting adolescent mental health, especially within community-based, focused non-specialized settings like those facilitated by Medair. These activities foster social interaction and cooperation, encouraging adolescents to develop key life skills such as communication, teamwork, and empathy. Through games, adolescents are given opportunities to connect with peers, which can strengthen their sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.

In group sessions, adolescents learn to trust one another, building confidence in both leadership and teamwork roles. For example, games where participants mimic actions or use stress balls to express emotions provide an outlet for adolescents to communicate and manage feelings they may find difficult to articulate verbally. By incorporating these playful, engaging activities, Medair’s support groups create a safe space for adolescents to process emotions, practice self-regulation, and harvest a sense of community—important steps in promoting mental well-being for youth in challenging circumstances.

These tokens, though small, serve as reminders that they are supported, seen, and valued. Through activities like this, Medair’s team continues to foster healing, resilience, and moments of joy in places where they’re needed most.

Medair's work in Lebanon is possible with funding from Peace of Mind (PoM), USAID and the generous support of the American People, Hans und Marianne Schwyn Stiftung, Fondation International Maria Francisca, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Lebanon Humanitarian Hub (LHF), The German Federal Foreign Office (AA), Swiss Development Cooperation through Interaction-CH,) and generous private donors.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.

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