War Deepens Psychological Trauma Among Sudanese People

As Sudan’s armed conflict enters its fourth year, its humanitarian, security, and economic consequences continue to worsen. Beyond the killings, displacement, and hunger, one of the most serious crises to emerge is the deterioration of mental health. Rates of depression, fear, anxiety, loss of security, and psychological disorders have risen alarmingly, with effects that could persist for decades. The war has effectively become a factory of trauma, while the country faces a severe shortage of mental health institutions and specialized professionals capable of treating and rehabilitating the hundreds of thousands of Sudanese suffering from severe psychological distress.

According to Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health, the sharp rise in mental health crises caused by the war and the grave violations experienced by civilians has significantly increased the need for urgent interventions. The ministry has emphasized the rehabilitation of psychiatric hospitals and addiction treatment centers as part of efforts to strengthen the health system’s capacity to respond to growing needs.

Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Ibrahim stated that mental health disorders are increasing worldwide, but the situation in Sudan is particularly complex due to the ongoing war. He noted that the ministry is working to raise public awareness about mental health, expand early detection services, and improve access to treatment in order to reduce negative social phenomena such as violence, addiction, and suicide. He also called for a comprehensive vision for mental health and adequate budget allocations to improve services within the national healthcare system.

Mental health specialists, however, argue that Sudan continues to generate fear on a daily basis through ongoing displacement, loss of loved ones, instability, disrupted education, and constant exposure to violence. They warn that the accumulation of such experiences transforms trauma from a temporary condition into a chronic one that can affect personality, behavior, and social relationships for many years.

Fear and Terror

In this context, Samia Mukhtar, a mother of five children, said that although she managed to flee early with her family from the Ombada district of Omdurman, which witnessed violent and bloody events during the two years of fighting in the capital, she has been unable to help her children overcome the fear and terror that continue to dominate their lives.

Mukhtar explained that signs of psychological distress were most evident in her youngest child, who became increasingly aggressive, frequently argued with friends during play, woke up screaming unexpectedly, suffered from persistent bedwetting, trembled with fear, hid under beds, and refused to attend school despite previously being calm, balanced, and obedient.

She added that her only daughter, the eldest among the children, had become withdrawn and reluctant to interact with others. The children, she said, were deeply affected by the horrific scenes they witnessed, including human remains and bodies scattered along roads, the sounds of artillery fire, explosions, and stray shells, as well as fires consuming places connected to their childhood memories, all of which stripped them of any sense of security.

Mukhtar continued: “It seems that these behavioral changes are no longer temporary symptoms but have become a medical condition, as they have persisted even after our return to our home in Omdurman following the government’s calls for people to return. I expected the symptoms to disappear once we settled again, but unfortunately worsening living conditions, severe poverty, depleted savings, and the lack of income have only intensified their suffering.”

She explained that fears about the deteriorating security situation, warnings not to leave home because of widespread theft, robbery, and killings, in addition to continued drone attacks on Khartoum, have further contributed to feelings of insecurity and psychological instability.

The mother added that some relatives advised her to seek professional psychological treatment for her children due to their declining mental health and loss of appetite, stressing that the experiences of her children likely reflect a broader crisis affecting many Sudanese families.

A Destructive Weapon

Social and psychological specialist Ahlam Yousif said that the ongoing war in Sudan has left deep and lasting psychological scars on thousands of citizens, manifesting in anxiety, fear, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which she described as one of the most destructive weapons against human beings.

Yousif noted that children, elderly people, and women are among the most affected groups. She lamented that the war has produced disturbing behaviors and phenomena previously uncommon within Sudanese families, including increased aggression, violence, crying episodes, and bedwetting among children, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

She also highlighted the impact of forced recruitment, child marriage, kidnapping, sexual violence, and family separation during displacement and refuge, explaining that children’s psychological suffering is often intensified in overcrowded shelters lacking basic living conditions.

According to Yousif, many young people have also experienced severe psychological stress due to disrupted lives and uncertainty about their futures. Interrupted education, frustration, and hopelessness have pushed some toward drug use and addiction, creating an urgent need for specialized mental health services.

She further emphasized that women who survived severe violations, especially sexual violence and rape, face some of the most profound psychological challenges. These difficulties can become even more severe in cases involving pregnancy resulting from assault, making psychological and social support exceptionally difficult and, in some instances, leading victims to take their own lives.

Yousif stressed that the physical and psychological injuries suffered by civilians during the war will have long-term consequences that may last for decades. What began as a temporary conflict has become a permanent memory that continues to haunt people even after they leave conflict zones. She called for urgent mental health interventions and social reintegration programs to help survivors overcome the deep wounds left by the war.

Challenges and Support

Mental health consultant Ibtisam Mahmoud stated that the war has directly affected the lives of Sudanese people amid unprecedented social and economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, and rising divorce rates, all of which have negatively impacted mental health and weakened social cohesion.

She explained that post-traumatic stress disorders often intensify when individuals are confronted with memories of terrifying experiences and scenes from the conflict.

Mahmoud described trauma as the inability to control emotional responses following a distressing event, noting that it carries serious consequences. She stressed the importance of greater state attention to mental health through the activation and expansion of psychiatric hospitals and support centers.

She added that efforts to normalize and strengthen mental healthcare should focus on three main areas: developmental support for children and future generations, preventive services for those exposed to trauma, and accessible treatment services across all regions to prevent temporary psychological effects from becoming chronic conditions.

Drawing on her professional experience, Mahmoud concluded that many serious social problems have emerged from untreated psychological disorders, including violent crimes committed over minor disputes in a context marked by widespread access to weapons. She therefore advocated for a comprehensive mental health support system, greater public awareness, and the integration of mental health professionals into schools, healthcare facilities, institutions, religious courts, prisons, and other public services.