War Related Psycho-Social Problems and Mitigating Strategies: A Time of Crisis, A Time to Act

Abstract

Psycho-social problems are recognized as the most profound challenges among war affected population. People experiencing poor psychological health suffer substantial distress and may be more vulnerable to violence, suicidal act, and poor physical health and harmful health practices such as substance abuse. Civilian exposure to war can involve numerous traumatic experiences including feelings of insecurity, witnessing extreme violence, separation from family, and incarceration. This article is intended to investigate the war-related psycho-social problems and mitigating strategies of war declared on Ethiopia’s Amhara region civilians. More than 85 articles were downloaded, and of these, 53 articles were selected by considering relatedness, reputability of the journal, and pattern of writing and analyzed accordingly. The findings showed that displacement, lack of basic needs for survival, social disruption, exposure to violence, depression, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, substance use and abuse, and behavioral disturbances are psycho-social problems manifested among people affected by war. Psycho-social support systems such as psychiatric support, counseling, training, advocacy, practical support, community education, community mobilization, forming task forces, identification of vulnerable groups, and developing psycho-social support pyramid are the mitigating strategies of war-related psycho-social problems.