We first present what is known about the prevalence of mental health problems of conflicted-affected children exposed to different facets of the phenomena of conflict experience, including child soldiers. This article describes the epidemiology of psychosocial functioning of conflict-affected children and youth, interventions designed to prevent or ameliorate mental health problems, and a case example of current work to address the mental health needs of war-affected children and youth in Southeast Asia. It is well documented that there are disparities between the mental health of war-affected children and youth and those in the general population. 4 The burden of mental disorders that results from conflict-related neglect, abuse and exploitation is particularly alarming. 3 Conflict experiences, ranging from being denied access to psychologically supportive environments and resources to being forced into involvement with armed forces or armed groups, violate child rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 2 Children continue to be disproportionately affected by armed conflict, and providing support for them should be a priority for the international community. More than twenty years after Graça Machel's report to the United Nations (UN) on children and armed conflict, 1 one of the first documents to promote international awareness of the impact of war and conflict on children and youth, there are still an estimated billion children living in war zones and regions of terror. This article describes the mental health challenges faced by conflict-affected children and youth, the interventions designed to prevent or ameliorate the psychosocial impact of conflict-related experiences, and a case example of the challenges and opportunities related to addressing the mental health needs of Rohingya children and youth. Children in armed conflict are frequently deprived of basic needs, psychologically supportive environments, educational and vocational opportunities, and other resources that promote positive psychosocial development and mental health.
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