Anyone who follows current events will know that we are living in a time where traumatic and often violent incidents seem to be increasingly more common. Whether it is the fallout from a natural disaster, political strife, or military conflict, the mental health effects of these events can be long lasting and far reaching.

One needs only to turn on the news to see a world that seems beset by sectarian violence and war. Political violence in Venezuela, sectarian conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia, and gang violence in Haiti have left scores dead or injured. In nearly three years of war since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, over one million people have been killed or injured. And last year’s deadly attack on Israel by Hamas that reignited horrific violence in the Middle East, leading to much of the Gaza Strip, once home to around two million Palestinians, being reduced to rubble by the Israeli military, with that conflict now spilling over into Lebanon and Syria.

These are just a few examples of the ongoing conflicts across the world. Adding to the already immense and unthinkable cost in human lives that these conflicts are exacting on people across the globe is the profound impact that trauma from conflict can have on the survivors. Trauma from war and forced migration can have mental health effects that span generations. Those lucky enough to escape violence and upheaval in their home countries are often subjected to discrimination and violence during their time as refugees in foreign countries. Many are forced to live in refugee camps that lack reliable access to basic services like heat, sanitation and running water, let alone health care services or counseling.

As psychiatrists, we are the experts best positioned to not only care for the mental health needs of the victims of these conflicts, but also to raise awareness about the negative mental health impact that conflict and war can have on society at large, and advocate for peace and diplomacy to prevail.

For the APA’s part, we are continuing to engage with and support our colleagues abroad through organizations like the World Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization to help facilitate the delivery of mental health care services to those on the front lines of world conflict where possible. The APA Foundation’s disaster relief fund has fundraised in support of victims of wildfires in Hawaii & California, hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, and more. APAF has also helped allocate funding dedicated to translating sorely needed mental health resources into the Ukrainian language.

Individually, we must embrace our role as healers and do all we can to assist in treating any refugee populations that come to our communities. All human beings deserve an opportunity to live in stable environments where they can be and feel safe, and we must do all we can to support and facilitate that in our home communities by making sure refugees are welcomed and supported with the care they need.

APA will always stand in support of peace and the reduction of conflict the world over. For the sake of our health, that of our children, and our planet, we can and must do a better job at resolving our differences before they escalate to violence.

Updated 12/11/2024