James Donaldson on Mental Health - Amid Gaza's rubble, families are trying to protect their children from suicide

A few days ago, Maryam attempted suicide for the first time.

"I left for a few minutes to get water, and when I came back, I found her trying to hang herself with a rope we tied the tent with.

I screamed, ran to her, and saved her at the last moment.

Since that day, I have never left her alone," her mother recounted, tears falling from her eyes.

The family now lives in constant fear that Maryam may try to end her life again, so her mother has been forced to take harsh measures to protect her.

"I hide all the knives in the tent, and I don’t leave any rope near her.

Sometimes when I feel she is very bad, I tie her hand to the bed so she does not hurt herself.

I am a mother, and I know this is cruel, but what can I do?

I want to protect her from death," said the mother.

"Sometimes I hear my daughter talking and saying: 'Wait for me, I will come soon.' When I hear her say that, I feel that I will lose her at any moment," she added.