Digital Pathways for Learning and Well-Being in Conflict-Affected Areas

Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/07/2025
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Led by Fatima Saeed Khan

Shifa Tameer e Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Access to education and mental health support is often severely disrupted in conflict-affected regions, limiting opportunities for students and communities to thrive. However, social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp have emerged as critical tools for facilitating learning and mental well-being, particularly where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This session will explore the transformative role of social media in providing alternative learning pathways and digital mental health resources for communities affected by conflict. We will discuss key research, including Anderson and Jiang (2018) on social media as an educational tool and Naslund et al. (2016) on digital mental health support. These studies highlight the cognitive and psychological impact of digital engagement and its potential to enhance resilience, learning retention, and student well-being. Through case studies and interactive discussions, participants will critically evaluate the effectiveness of tele-psychological interventions in overcoming educational and psychological barriers.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Analyse the role of social media in expanding educational opportunities and providing mental health support in underserved regions.
2. Evaluate real-world case studies that highlight how digital platforms function as tools for learning and well-being.

Fatima Saeed Khan is a mental health trainee and researcher with a focus on refugee mental health, her work explores interventions to support well-being in displacement-affected communities. She is passionate about improving mental health accessibility for vulnerable populations.