Over 30,000 Children from Artsakh Risk Deteriorating Mental Health, UNICEF Warns

Over 30,000 children, who have been forced to flee their homes due to military operations, are at risk of deteriorating mental health if they remain without immediate support. This warning comes from UNICEF as it highlights the psychological condition and hardships faced by children forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

“Social workers from UNICEF in Goris, who serve up to 300 children daily, have reported that these children are experiencing feelings of anxiety, fear, and anger manifesting in nightmares, bedwetting, and inconsolable crying. Some children have isolated themselves from others, becoming uncommunicative and unable to express their emotions or understand what has happened,” the organization stated in its announcement.

Additionally, UNICEF noted that these children have continuously missed classes and have been living in dangerous, unsafe environments, with families sharing a persistent sense of fear regarding new attacks. “We are now seeing how much these children have suffered. Displacements and military actions, coupled with deprivation, have significantly impacted their physical and mental health, as well as their psychological wellbeing,” UNICEF warns.

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, UNICEF also urges all countries to invest in mental health and psychosocial support for children. The organization reports that it has formed mobile pediatric teams in collaboration with the Armenian Ministry of Health to identify and respond to mental health needs through screenings across the country.

UNICEF has also called on countries to raise $12.6 million over the next six months for educational, child protection, healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation conditions.

It is worth mentioning that Azerbaijan launched large-scale attacks against Artsakh on September 19.