Mental health consequences of war and post-conflict development: A case study on Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This study reviews contemporary literature on the overall state of mental health in the context of international development. It identifies the need to prioritize mental health in the field of international development and to create informed policies and programs through the use of case-study examples of countries that have witnessed much involvement in this domain. Societies undergoing or recovering from a conflict are identified as especially vulnerable to a range of mental health problems such as high levels of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), post-conflict anxiety and depression. The psychological effects of the 1992∼1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the various ways in which these have manifested themselves in a ten-year post-conflict period are examined. The mental health consequences of the war affect the whole society, with women and children, rural populations, refugees, internally displaced persons and war veterans being the most vulnerable population sub-groups. An analysis of the post-conflict psychosocial programs and subsequently health and mental health reforms ensues. Psychosocial programs are identified as overall effective in addressing post-war mental health problems and critiqued in terms of their cultural adaptability and success at achieving desired sustainable results. Mental health reform is a complex process dependent on a range of contextual political, social and economic factors. Recommendations for further research and action include establishing countrywide evaluation measures, improving research facilities and addressing political fragmentation at the national level and lack of international coordination at the global level. Keywords: mental health, psychological consequences of conflict, international development, Bosnia and Herzegovina, post-conflict society, psychosocial