Children, War, and Migration - Psychiatric Perspective for Resilience

Abstract

Armed conflicts cause social disorganisation, loss of control and loss of predictability, alongside social rearrangements that impact security and the survival of children in times of war. Providing effective support for the life adjustment of children after the traumatic impact belligerency needs the combined efforts of specialists in epidemiology, public health, mental health, paediatrics, psychiatry, anthropology, sociology and social care. The internal and external migrations driven by the multiple interacting crises will also lead to the dissolution and fragmentation of families, to the disruption of the individual goals of each family member and the educational needs of children will be one of the most affected. Children’s perception of war will shake their trust in adults and social interactions outside of the family will be perceived as threatening. Consequently, in the future children will need courage to rebuild meaningful social relationships and to find new meaning in their lives. Children and families need to restore trust and a sense of dignity. Psychiatrists will be aware of the symptoms arising from collective trauma, understanding that these are not always the manifestation of an intrinsic psychiatric disorder, and that they may resolve when the traumatic event is processed within an existential framework. The struggle for immediate survival will be deeply ingrained in their psyche, and the death of close relatives such as mother, father, brothers and sisters will influence their existential on long term. The role of specialists is to help children regain a sense of meaning in their lives. Overcoming feelings of collective guilt can be achieved through action and through a proactive attitude towards peace.