A new scoping review from BMJ Global Health identifies critical evidence gaps and promising practices for mental health care in active armed conflicts. The analysis of 47 studies reveals three essential findings for practitioners and policymakers. First, adult civilians and ex-combatants demonstrate significant clinical improvement in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms when receiving structured psychological interventions during ongoing conflict—suggesting that treatment delays are not necessary.
Second, outcomes for children and adolescents remain inconsistent across studies, indicating that age-appropriate interventions require more rigorous development and evaluation. Third, only 12 of 47 studies employed trauma-focused approaches, despite high prevalence of trauma exposure in conflict populations. These findings underscore the urgent need for standardized research methodologies, increased investment in pediatric mental health programs, and prioritization of evidence-based trauma interventions in conflict-affected regions globally.
Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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