ResearchResearch DigestNigeria: mental health in displaced children and young people

Nigeria: mental health in displaced children and young people

Forcibly displaced children and young people experience high levels of mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, research has shown.

Analysis was carried out on studies looking at the mental health of children and young people forcibly displaced by conflict, from four databases. Researchers found these children and young people were most likely to be affected by depression, generalised anxiety disorder, PTSD, sleep disturbances, behaviour changes and substance abuse. Other issues included psychosis and language disorders.

Researchers saw conflicting information on how the mental health issues resolve, with some suggestion that they may not naturally resolve over time, and other evidence that mental health may be affected positively by changes in temporary accommodation.

However, they stress that the evidence shows a need for sustained interventions that incorporate mental health services and address the long-term wellbeing of children and young people, rather than just immediate survival concerns.

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