About a quarter of Ukraine’s population may suffer from a mental health disorder due to war, WHO says

About a quarter of Ukraine’s population – some 10 million people – may suffer from a mental health disorder in relation to the conflict, the World Health Organization’s representative in the country, Jarno Habicht, has said.

Report informs via The Guardian that disorders likely to be seen include anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by distressing events. Cases are rising after 10 months of conflict, prompting a separate UN agency to launch online support services.

Reuters reports that Ukraine’s health care system has been under pressure since Russia invaded in February. So far, there have been at least 700 attacks on its health care system, WHO data shows, and Russia’s increase in attacks on critical infrastructure since October has added to the challenges by causing blackouts. Moscow denies targeting civilians.

Habicht said respiratory diseases would increase with the cold weather and insufficient heating, as would car accidents on unlit streets due to blackouts.