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The war in Iraq is likely to have a profound effect on the mental health of the 12 million children in Iraq, an independent group of experts has warned, writes Katie Leason.

New research commissioned by 'War Child Canada' reveals that, even before the outbreak of war, the mental health of Iraqi children was suffering. Interviews with children in Baghdad and Basra and questionnaires from school children revealed that the threat of war was affecting their lives, with the majority reporting “strong, daily fear”.

The children were worried that they might not live to become adults, and that something bad would happen to them or their family.

Many reported sleeping problems and nightmares, as well as severe concentration problems. Extreme feelings of detachment were also noted, and almost 40 per cent of  children thought that life was not worth living most of the time.

The research team claimed that Iraqi children had already been badly traumatised as a result of 12 years of economic sanctions, and said the impact of a new war would be “catastrophic”.

Panos Vostanis, professor of child psychiatry at Leicester University, who carried out research into the effects of trauma on the mental health of Palestinian children, predicted that many expressions of distress would remain well after the war ended and would be likely to be compounded by other mental health problems such as depression, fears and anxiety.

'Our Common Responsibility' available here