When considering the aftermath of war, the focus often rests on visible scars: physical injuries and shattered infrastructure. Yet, the invisible wounds inflicted on mental health are equally significant.
Individuals affected by violent conflict endure a plethora of traumas: witnessing atrocities, displacement, familial separation, exposure to violence, and forced involvement in combat. These experiences significantly elevate the risk of developing severe mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The World Health Organization estimates that over one in five individuals exposed to conflict will develop a mental disorder, with approximately half classified as severe.
Recent studies indicate that untreated mental anguish resulting from conflict can intensify desires for retribution and diminish empathy. While trauma alone doesn’t precipitate violence, the interplay of conflict-induced stress, trauma, and socio-political factors such as marginalization and exclusion amplifies the likelihood of further violence, impeding peace efforts.
The Psychological Impact of Conflict
Ongoing conflicts in regions like Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Sudan underscore the imperative of addressing mental health within conflict-affected populations. In these settings, the trauma of conflict becomes intergenerational amid persistent violence.
In Afghanistan, decades of strife have left many grappling with acute, chronic, and complex trauma. Though comprehensive data is lacking, a 2021 survey revealed that two-thirds of Afghans experienced at least one traumatic event, with nearly half reporting high levels of psychological distress. Following the Taliban’s resurgence, discrimination against women exacerbates existing mental health challenges, fostering anxiety, isolation, and depression.
Similarly, Nigeria’s conflict with Boko Haram and other militant groups has profoundly impacted the mental well-being of northeastern communities, plagued by abductions, home demolitions, and forced displacement.
Trauma’s enduring effects manifest in symptoms like flashbacks and insomnia, often indicative of PTSD. In Sudan, ongoing clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Force paramilitary have ravaged mental health, with widespread displacement and reports of sexual violence.
The Cycle of Trauma and Conflict
Scarce resources in conflict zones hinder access to treatment, perpetuating unaddressed trauma. Despite initiatives like USAID’s Towards Enduring Peace in Sudan program, trauma awareness remains the exception rather than the norm in peacebuilding efforts.
Globally, an estimated 80% of those afflicted by conflict-related mental disorders lack treatment, allowing trauma to fester. Unresolved anguish, coupled with impunity for perpetrators, fuels a cycle wherein trauma begets future conflict, complicating reconciliation efforts.
In conflict-ridden societies like Afghanistan, Sudan, and Nigeria, cumulative grievances fuel resentment and vengeful impulses, overshadowing endeavors for justice and reconciliation. Unresolved trauma impedes the reintegration of ex-combatants, exacerbating stigmatization and hindering community acceptance.
Addressing the intertwining issues of mental health and conflict is paramount to breaking this destructive cycle, fostering healing, and promoting sustainable peace.
