France began Tuesday with the return to France of 35 French minors who were held in camps in northeastern Syria. 16 mothers also returned to France. This was the first major repatriation of this kind since the fall of the Islamic State group in 2019.
Since 2017, minors who have returned from terrorist areas have been able to receive a medico-psychological evaluation by the various referral centers in France. The objective is to diagnose post-traumatic stress syndrome and identify any mental influences.
The Avicenne hospital in Bobigny is one of the most popular referral centres. It has seen a lot of minors return from such areas. "Until their arrival to France, the vast majority these children had a history punctuated with traumatic events," says Maurween Veyret Moau, a psychologist working in this service. She said that they had been through war, some military training and various atrocities. Many also suffered hunger and thirst.
These traumas can cause a variety of symptoms, including anxiety-depressive disorders, disturbed eating habits, and sleep disturbances. Alessandra mapelli, psychologist at Avicenne hospital, says that all the children have been recommended for treatment.
A French person's psychological assessment usually begins within a few days of their arrival. The initial consultation takes the form a weekly consult, which will continue for several years.
Gisele Apter is a professor of child psychotherapy. She says that it is easier to expect positive development for children who are younger than you. "The problem is that it takes a lot of time to create a care plan that works for everyone. This means you need to find a stable reception structure.
Fears about possible indoctrination by these children who have lived under the yoke IS are common. However, psychiatrists are positive. Serge Hefez, psychiatrist at the Parisian Pitie-Salpetriere and psychoanalyst, recalls that he took care of 15 children who were repatriated three-years ago. He doesn't believe that "unrecoverable" indoctrination is possible for older children.
According to Bosc, the most traumatizing event for them upon their arrival in France will be "the separation from the mother", even though the bond can be kept in prison. Nicolas Bosc from the Avicenna psychiatrist team agrees that "the mother-child relationship has already proven to be complicated there and it will continue to be so here." These children are placed in a new family, which can be very cruel.
However, optimism is encouraged by the positive follow-ups of those who returned many years ago. Avicenna's team believes that many of them are "doing much more well."
Serge Hefez believes that all children have a will to live and a chance to bounce back. However, he does not exclude the possibility of "traumatic resurgences", depressive attacks, or anxiety years later. He adds that children who have been through wars or separations have always known them. "You have to do your best to help them return to normal."
