Children on the brink: Mental health, long-term social consequences, and psychosocial support for Ukrainian children in war.

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To systematically analyse empirical data on the mental health of Ukrainian children in the context of armed conflict; to conduct a comparative analysis with research on the consequences of the Second World War; to examine long-term social consequences; and to analyse the state of the psychosocial support system, with particular attention to the trauma-informed approach as its methodological foundation.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Materials and

Methods

Narrative review with elements of comparative analysis. Databases searched: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO. Included: empirical studies and systematic reviews/meta-analyses (2022-2026) on children and adolescents (0-18 years) in war or post-conflict settings with measurable mental health, behavioural, or developmental outcomes; comparative studies on children from the Second World War era, with no time restrictions. Supplemented by institutional reports and national Ukrainian research.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions

Ukraine is facing a psychiatric and social crisis of historic proportions for European children. An effective response requires long-term systemic investment in psychosocial support grounded in the trauma-informed approach, with priority for underserved groups (the youngest children, orphans, children of the mobilised), deinstitutionalisation, anti-stigma education, and urgent funding for longitudinal research.