# The devastating impact of conflict in Sudan on mental health services: a rapid review

## TL;DR

Sudan's ongoing conflict is severely disrupting mental health services, increasing mental illness and reducing access to care for vulnerable populations.

## Contribution

This rapid review highlights the urgent need for mental health interventions in Sudan amid escalating conflict and instability.

## Key findings

- The conflict has worsened Sudan's fragile healthcare system and increased mental illness rates.
- Access to mental health services has significantly decreased, especially for vulnerable groups.
- Comprehensive mental health interventions and support for healthcare providers are urgently needed.

## Abstract

Sudan's healthcare system teeters on the brink of collapse as the country continues to reel from political instability and conflict that escalated in April 2023. The latest outbreak of violence between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces has exacerbated an already fragile healthcare infrastructure. This review provides a narrative synthesis of the existing literature and reports on the current state of mental health services in Sudan. The ongoing conflict has triggered widespread displacement, economic instability, and trauma, which have in turn contributed to increased rates of mental illness. While mental health services were limited even before the conflict, the current crisis has significantly reduced access to care, especially for vulnerable populations. In this review, we highlight the urgent need for comprehensive mental health interventions and sustained support for healthcare providers under increasingly dangerous conditions.