Systematic Review of Evidence and Treatment Approaches: Psychosocial and mental health care for children in war

This paper undertakes a thorough, well-conducted and systematic review of the literature on interventions related to the psychosocial well-being and mental health of children affected by violence. 66 peer reviewed publications, based on interventions in 18 low and middle income countries, are considered, and the scope of the review ranges from systematic evidence-based outcome studies to those encompassing multi-sectoral, holistic and ecological approaches. The breadth of interventions covered reflects the ongoing paradigmatic shift in this field from a narrow, disorder-specific focus to a greater concentration on general wellbeing, mild distress, and from tertiary to primary and secondary prevention.