Image copyright AFP Image caption At least three million Syrian children under the age of six have known nothing but warMillions of Syrian children could be living in a state of "toxic stress" due to prolonged exposure to the horrors of war, aid group Save the Children says.
It said mental health and psychosocial support programmes were showing success and needed to be "scaled up" across Syria, with support from the international community.
Toxic stress can disrupt the development of the brain and other organs and increasing the risk of addiction and mental health disorders in adulthood, said Alexandra Chen, a child protection and mental health specialist at Harvard University.
The stress of war has led to increased bedwetting, self-harm, suicide attempts and aggressive behaviour among many children, according to a new report.
The report, Invisible Wounds, reveals a "terrifying mental health crisis among children trapped in Syria".
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