scholarly journals Sierra Leone's Former Child Soldiers: A Longitudinal Study of Risk, Protective Factors, and Mental Health

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 606-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa S. Betancourt ◽  
Robert T. Brennan ◽  
Julia Rubin-Smith ◽  
Garrett M. Fitzmaurice ◽  
Stephen E. Gilman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Child Soldiers ◽  
Former Child Soldiers

Postwar environment and long-term mental health problems in former child soldiers in Northern Uganda: the WAYS study

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 425-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy Amone-P'Olak ◽  
Jan Stochl ◽  
Emilio Ovuga ◽  
Rosemary Abbott ◽  
Richard Meiser-Stedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Child Soldiers ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Former Child Soldiers

scholarly journals The mental health consequences of being a child soldier — an international perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aoife R. Singh ◽  
Ashok N. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Child Soldiers ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Child Soldier ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Former Child Soldiers ◽  
Child Soldiering

Worldwide there are currently 300 000 child soldiers. Not only does the use of child soldiers lead to individual suffering but it also alters the dynamics of war and makes conflict and instability more likely. It is important both to prevent recruitment and to rehabilitate former child soldiers into their communities. For rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to be effective, it is necessary to understand the consequences of child soldiering. This paper reviews and summarises some of the key findings related to the mental health consequences of being a child soldier.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study of psychosocial adjustment and community reintegration among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 60-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa S. Betancourt
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Psychosocial Adjustment ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Child Soldiers ◽  
Community Reintegration ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Former Child Soldiers

The forceful conscription of children (both boys and girls) into armed forces has been documented in at least 86 countries (Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, 2008). Research suggests that these children may be at heightened risk of psychological and social problems (Wessells, 2009; Blattman & Annan, 2010). However, there is little information on the long-term effects of child soldiers' wartime experiences.

scholarly journals Child and adolescent mental health services in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silje Akselberg Iversen ◽  
Joyce Nalugya ◽  
Juliet N. Babirye ◽  
Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv Engebretsen ◽  
Norbert Skokauskas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Child Soldiers ◽  
Former Child Soldiers ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Hiv Aids

Abstract Introduction Worldwide, one in five children and adolescents suffer from mental health disorders, while facing limited opportunities for treatment and recovery. Growing up, they face multiple challenges that might contribute to the development of mental disorders. Uganda is a developing country with a history of prolonged civil and regional wars associated with child soldiers, large numbers of refugees and internally displaced people due to natural disasters and unrests, and a large infectious disease burden mainly due to acute respiratory tract infections, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Objective This paper aims to examine the current status of child and adolescent mental health services in Uganda. Methodology A scoping review approach was used to select studies on child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Uganda. A search of MEDLINE, Wiley and PubMed databases was conducted using eligibility criteria. The papers were summarized in tables and then synthesized using the Frameworks for monitoring health systems performance designed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This was done according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and M-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Results Twelve studies were identified; five of them used qualitative methods and focused mostly on the current limitations and strengths of CAMHS in Uganda, while six quantitative studies investigated the effects of new interventions. One study used a mixed-methods approach. In summary, the papers outlined a need for collaboration with the primary health sector and traditional healers to ensure additional human resources, as well as the need to focus on groups such as orphans, HIV/AIDS-affected youth, former child soldiers and refugees. Conclusion Relatively few studies have been conducted on CAMHS in Uganda, and most of those that exist are part of larger studies involving multiple countries. CAMHS in Uganda require improvement and needs to focus especially on vulnerable groups such as orphans, HIV/AIDS-affected youth and former child soldiers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document