A new study reveals that 16% of teens exposed to both phases of the Russo-Ukrainian war experience symptoms of PTSD compared to 1% of non-exposed teens, and more than 10% experience severe depressive symptoms compared to 3% of non-exposed peers. Adolescents exposed to both phases of war also reported significantly higher levels of suicide attempts. More than 10% of adolescents attempted suicide compared to 4% of non-exposed peers.
Adolescents who have lived through the escalating phases of the Russo-Ukrainian war are experiencing alarming levels of psychological distress, according to a new large-scale time-trend study from the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku, Finland. Young people exposed to the full span of the conflict from the initial invasion in 2014 to the full-scale assault that began in February 2022 showed higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive symptoms, and suicide attempts.
The study shows that 16% of Ukrainian teenagers exposed to both phases of the Russo-Ukrainian war experience PTSD symptoms compared to 1% of non-exposed peers, and more than 10% experience severe depressive symptoms compared to 3% of non-exposed peers.
“The cumulative impact of long-lasting, intensifying warfare on young minds is profound. Adolescents who endure repeated trauma are especially vulnerable to PTSD, depression, and suicidality”, says Professor Andre Sourander, the study’s principal investigator.
Decade of conflict, a generation at risk
The Russo-Ukrainian war began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and fighting in eastern Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, the largest land offensive in Europe since World War II, thousands have been killed and millions displaced. Homes, schools, communities, and support systems have been fractured or destroyed. For adolescents navigating a critical developmental stage, such upheaval can have lasting consequences.
This study is the first to compare mental health impacts across different phases of the war. Using two large school-based surveys conducted in 2016–2017 and 2023–2024, researchers assessed a total of 5,486 adolescents aged 11–17 from the Donetsk and Kirovohrad regions. By repeating the survey years later, the team was able to reveal how prolonged and intensifying conflict compounds psychological harm.
Rising suicidality and vulnerable groups
The findings extend beyond PTSD and depression as adolescents exposed to war also reported significantly higher levels of suicide attempts. More than 10% of the adolescents exposed to both phases of war reported they had attempted suicide compared to 4% of non-exposed peers.
“Any exposure, whether during the early phase or the full-scale invasion, was linked to an increased risk of suicidal ideation,” Sourander explains. “Those already struggling with mental health vulnerabilities are especially at risk after experiencing war-related trauma.”
Girls and older adolescents were more likely to report symptoms, as were those not living with their biological parents. Disrupted family structures added another layer of psychological strain.
“A secure and supportive family environment is a key protective factor,” says Sourander. “When war separates families or causes the loss of loved ones, that stability disappears. Adolescents are left feeling unsafe, unsupported, and unsure about the future.”
Urgent need for action
As the full-scale war enters its fourth year, the authors warn that the mental health needs of Ukrainian youth require immediate and sustained attention. They emphasize that supporting adolescents must begin with expanding accessible, trauma-informed mental health services capable of meeting the sharply rising demand. Strengthening the capacity of teachers, school staff, and healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to wartime distress is equally essential.
In addition, the researchers highlight the importance of helping families rebuild safety and stability after displacement, separation, or loss.
“Providing support with targeted digital interventions for parents and caregivers can foster resilience and help families develop effective coping and emotional regulation skills that protect adolescents from the long-term psychological harms of war. Protecting young people’s mental health must be a priority. These adolescents are growing up under circumstances no child should ever have to face”, emphasizes Professor Olga Osokina, Donetsk National Medical University and visiting Professor at the University of Turku.
The study "Mental Health of Ukrainian Adolescents After Russian Invasions” was published in JAMA Pediatrics in December 2025.