SEATTLE — In a report recently released by the British charity Save the Children, Syrian refugee children are suffering from “toxic stress” in dramatic numbers. Toxic stress has been described as the most severe form of stress. This psychological response manifests in children when they are exposed to extreme traumatic events for a length of time. If not handled well, toxic stress can lead to a lifetime of negative consequences, such as disrupted brain development, heart disease or immune system disabilities.
The Syrian civil war will soon approach its six-year anniversary. During this time, more than 300,000 people have been killed and half of the population displaced. Another 600,000 Syrian citizens are still trapped in conflict zones.
The widespread devastation of this bloody and brutal war is traumatizing Syrian refugee children at an alarming rate. Around three million children under the age of six have never known life apart from bloodshed and extreme violence. Millions more have grown up in paralyzing fear, triggered by bombings, the deaths of family and friends and constant insecurity.
For its report, Save the Children interviewed 450 children and adults within seven of Syria’s governorates about how the children are coping with their experiences in the war, and had the following responses:
- Eighty-one percent of parents have observed their children displaying more aggression, such as fighting with friends and family.
- Seventy-one percent of children are increasingly bedwetting and involuntarily urinating when hearing sudden, loud noises.
- Forty-eight percent of parents met children who had either lost their ability to speak or suffered from a speech impediment.
- Two-thirds of Syrian refugee children have either lost a close family or friend, had their house bombed or suffered from a war-related injury.
In the worst cases, 51 percent of children have been reported to turn to drugs such as hashish, opium or that which is available. Others have turned to self-harm, and some children as young as 12 have attempted suicide.
One young girl interviewed was forced to watch ISIS carry out public punishments, such as stonings and beheadings, and experienced bombardments as Syrian regime forces fought against the jihadist group. “I have been affected,” the 11-year-old said. “If something like that happens to you when you’re young, you’ll be impacted your whole life.”
Syrian refugee children and those still inside Syria are facing a lack of education and nutrition. The concern is growing that this generation will be lost among the turmoil, and, thus, not given the proper tools to rebuild their country and their lives once Syria returns to peace.
The president and CEO of Save the Children, Carolyn Miles, said in the report: “We can end the toxic stress many children are suffering by stopping the bombardment of civilian areas and reaching everyone with lifesaving aid and psychological support.”
In addition to this, Save the Children is requesting increased funds for programs that counsel and support the mental and emotional well-being of Syrian refugee children.
– Brenna Yowell
Photo: Flickr