New Delhi, India – A growing body of research is highlighting the devastating long-term mental health consequences of modern warfare, which often extend far beyond the direct casualties. While traditional conflicts involved large-scale battles and immediate fatalities, today's wars, marked by their local, low-intensity, and often surrogate nature, leave a lasting psychological impact on both combatants and civilians.

Studies show that the mental health effects of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, can persist for decades, even across generations. Civilians, particularly those caught in the crossfire of civil wars or religious conflicts, are at an especially high risk of developing these disorders.
The proliferation of technology, such as social media and the internet, has exacerbated the psychological toll of war, contributing to a general sense of instability and anxiety worldwide. While military psychiatry has valuable knowledge and experience in addressing these issues, the prevention of war itself remains crucial for safeguarding the mental health of humanity.