Ukraine’s children face mental health crisis after four years of war
24 February 2026Without sustained investment in mental health and psychosocial support, an entire generation of Ukrainian children risks growing up with long term mental scars that will impact the country's future for decades to come.
Four years into the full-scale war in Ukraine, humanitarian organisation Plan International is issuing an urgent warning: without sustained investment in mental health and psychosocial support, an entire generation of Ukrainian children risks growing up with long term mental scars that will impact the country’s future for decades to come.
Ukrainian children have spent up to 5,000 hours sheltering underground – equivalent to nearly seven months of their lives. One in three children now reports that school exams are more stressful than air-raid sirens, highlighting how deeply the conflict has reshaped their sense of what is normal.
“All children in Ukraine share this experience of sleeping in bomb shelters, living without in-person education or electricity. They have lost any sense of basic safety”, said Sven Coppens, Ukraine Humanitarian Response Director at Plan International.
“Humanitarian emergencies are usually measured in weeks or months. After four years of full-scale war, this has become a long-term crisis, and the response is now about preventing irreversible harm to an entire generation.”
Deprived of school and safety
Many children have been forced to flee their homes multiple times, losing the familiar spaces of comfort such as their bedrooms, playgrounds, and classrooms. For long stretches, schooling has taken place online, depriving them of the safe environments where they learn, socialise, and build friendships.
On top of these losses, many also endure separation from family members serving in the armed forces. One in three children have experienced a close friend or family member killed or injured.
“This is having enormous consequences on children’s mental health”, explained Tetiana Zaiets, Protection Specialist with Plan International in Ukraine. “Living under constant fear affects how children speak, learn and relate to others. This is not just stress. We’re talking about profound distress, with long-lasting consequences”.
Psychological toll
The psychological toll is manifesting in multiple ways: persistent fear and nightmares, increased aggression, social withdrawal, and severe difficulties concentrating. Mental health specialists working with Plan International are reporting alarming increases in memory and speech impairments, particularly among children living near epicentres of drone and missile strikes.
In families forced to flee their homes, parents often spend long hours trying to provide for their households, leaving less time for quality interaction with their children, who then miss critical opportunities to practice communication and emotional expression.
Adolescents are particularly affected by the crisis. As they navigate the delicate passage from childhood to adulthood, they face deep anxiety about both their immediate safety and their future, with limited spaces to socialise or express themselves. Deeply entrenched gender norms make it particularly difficult for boys to talk openly about their feelings.
If children’s mental health needs are not addressed, they risk growing up with profound, long-term distress, performing poorly in school or turning to negative coping mechanisms such as using drugs, alcohol or adopting risky behaviours – impacting the future of Ukrainian society.
Caregivers face exhaustion and uncertainy
The war’s impact extends to families and caregivers, who also face stress, exhaustion, and uncertainty. “If caregivers are overwhelmed, children feel it immediately,” Coppens explained. “But when caregivers are supported and resilient, children often mirror that resilience. This is why we made mental health and psychosocial support our priority”.
Working closely with partners, Plan International is responding to the crisis with initiatives like child-friendly spaces (CFS) in rehabilitated bomb shelters, where children can safely learn, play, and regain a sense of normalcy. Parenting support sessions help caregivers communicate better with children, manage stress, and prevent burnout.
Parents have reported noticeable improvements: their children are happier, more confident, and able to speak fluently. These spaces also allow parents to connect with one another, creating support networks that benefit entire families and communities.
Ukraine’s children and families are still in need
However, the scale of need far exceeds available resources. Of the 10.8 million people in Ukraine currently requiring humanitarian assistance, funding cuts and difficulty reaching populations near frontlines mean only one third (3.6 million people) can currently be supported. “If we fail to address these needs now, we risk losing an entire generation. How can young people contribute to society if invisible scars make daily life a struggle?” asked Coppens.
“We call on the international community to continue supporting the humanitarian response in Ukraine and prioritise long-term investment in education, mental health and psychosocial services – so Ukraine’s children can say “the world stood by us and we healed.'”
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