Armed conflicts around the world are contributing to significant mental health challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children with disabilities. On World Mental Health Day, it is highlighted that insecurity, trauma, anxiety, and confusion prevail among those affected by war. An estimated one-fifth of populations in conflict zones experience mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.
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For children with intellectual disabilities, the impact of war can be exacerbated by social and environmental barriers that increase their vulnerability to violence and social exclusion. A father in Syria recounted in 2020 how armed conflict had severely affected his 13-year-old son, who became isolated and withdrawn: "He sits alone, doesn’t want to interact with any other kids." He also expressed concern for his other children, stating, "You can see the fear in their eyes. They have no hopes for the future."
Barriers such as communication difficulties and inadequate access to information often prevent individuals with disabilities from receiving essential humanitarian and mental health services. Reports from Human Rights Watch indicate similar shortcomings in providing inclusive psychological support in conflicts in Gaza and Sudan.
To address these challenges, governments must incorporate disability-inclusive mental health care both during conflicts and in recovery efforts, fulfilling their international obligations. Humanitarian agencies are also urged to ensure their programs are accessible to people with disabilities. This can involve using accessible communication methods, offering play therapy for children, training staff in disability-inclusive practices, and providing sensory regulation tools, such as weighted lap pads and noise-canceling headphones. While these measures cannot erase the trauma of war, they can foster recovery, inclusion, and renewed hope for the future.