The war in Sudan is destroying students’ mental health

University students in the war-torn regions of Sudan experience high levels of stress, anxiety and depression due to the ongoing armed conflict in the country and are in urgent need of interventions such as psychological counselling.

The war, involving the Sudanese Armed Forces and the former paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, started in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, in mid-April 2023. It has contributed to the destruction of educational facilities and has set off the massive displacement of people, contributing to a hunger crisis that may affect 24.6 million people, according to the World Food Programme.

Focusing on students’ mental health, a cross-sectional study involving 443 undergraduate students and titled, ‘Depression, stress and anxiety among Khartoum University students who stay in war-afflicted regions in Sudan 2024’, was published in BMC Psychiatry on 15 February.

Authored by six researchers at the faculty of medicine at the University of Khartoum in cooperation with a group of five collaborators, the study was carried out to “address and support services, educating legislators, academic administrators and mental health specialists about the pressing need for all-encompassing approaches to support academic achievement and well-being”.

“This study is among the first to examine anxiety, stress and depression in Khartoum University students residing in Sudan’s war-affected areas,” the researchers wrote in the journal article.

Another study, published on 15 February 2025 titled, ‘Studying the impact of anxiety, stress and emotion on academic performance: A systematic review’, said that the emotional challenges students face affect their academic performance which turns the spotlight on the role of educational institutions to foster supportive learning environments and improve overall student well-being and success.

Perspectives from academics

Professor Mohamed Hassan, the president of the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences, told University World News the study was “crucial in laying the groundwork for more comprehensive studies, which should include interviews with displaced and at-risk Sudanese university students, both within Sudan and those who have become refugees in neighbouring countries”.

“It is vital for universities in Sudan, in collaboration with partner institutions abroad, to train a significant number of scholars in psychology and psychiatry. This initiative will equip them to support students in coping with the devastating mental health impacts of war,” Hassan said.

Professor Awad Elkarim Khalifa, the dean of the Institute of Gum Arabic Research and Desertification Studies at the University of Kordofan in Sudan, told University World News that the mental health of students was also affected negatively because universities remained closed for a long time.

“The students got stressed as they were worrying about their academic future,” Khalifa explained, suggesting that universities should activate online teaching and open teaching centres in safe areas to enable students to continue with their studies.

Dr Mosab Nouraldein Hamad at the Centre for Research Excellence of Elsheikh Abdallah Elbadri University in Sudan, told University World News that universities and non-governmental organisations should collaborate to implement mental health support programmes to foster the development of emotional intelligence and promote resilience among students.

Long-lasting exposure to trauma

Professor Suad Sulaiman, an adviser at the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences told University World News: “The impact of war on students’ mental health can be profound and long-lasting, as exposure to traumatic events during war, such as violence, loss of loved ones and displacement can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety.

“The constant threat of danger and uncertainty can cause chronic anxiety and depression. Students may experience feelings of hopelessness, sadness and a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed. In some cases, students may turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress and trauma of war.

“The war led to the closure of universities and the disruption of educational activities, resulting in a loss of routine and stability, further exacerbating mental health issues.

“Displacement and loss of community can lead to social isolation, making it difficult for students to form and maintain relationships,” Sulaiman added.

She echoed the findings of the study, saying that their mental health well-being had to be addressed, given the challenges they faced.

What can be done?

According to her, the establishment of community-based mental health programmes, including counselling services, peer support groups and workshops on stress management and resilience could be helpful.

“Leveraging digital platforms to increase accessibility to mental health services through developing user-friendly mental health apps and online counselling services … Organising awareness campaigns can also help in destigmatising mental health issues and encourage students to seek help, as well as ensuring that students have access to professional mental health services, either through university-based clinics or partnerships with local healthcare providers for addressing more severe mental health issues.

“Strengthening support systems within educational institutions, such as providing training for teachers and staff to recognise and address mental health issues, can create a more supportive environment for students,” she advised.

According to her, implementing these strategies can significantly improve the mental well-being of students in Sudan and help them to thrive academically and personally.