Ukraine war causes mental health and speech delays in children

Children in Ukraine are experiencing significant psychological and developmental challenges due to the ongoing war. Tamila Kiverova, a director of a Montessori school in Kyiv, reports that even five-year-olds discuss war, drones, and missiles with adult-like language. She notes that children often engage in war-themed play, which is accompanied by genuine fear.

Stress from the conflict is causing widespread speech development delays among young children. Kiverova states that since the full-scale invasion in 2022, almost every child in her care requires some form of therapy to address calming or speech issues.

Plan International has also warned of a mental health crisis among Ukrainian children. Experts associated with the organization report that psychological issues manifest as constant fear, nightmares, increased aggression, social isolation, and severe concentration difficulties. Memory and speech disturbances have been particularly noted in areas frequently targeted by drone and missile strikes.