'Silent Suffering' - a detailed investigation of psychological trauma and emotional well-being paints a bleak picture of an entire generation of children vulnerable to the moods of parents and adult guardians who themselves are struggling to cope with often tragic and difficult circumstances.

In the first such study of its kind, researchers from leading international childrens organisation, Plan, together with Family Health International psychologically assessed more than 1,000 children and young people chosen at random in five countries affected by civil war, ethnic cleansing, child trafficking and the AIDS pandemic.

Mobile units made up of trauma counsellors and psychologists were set up to give emergency counselling and treatment to those children judged most at risk, including former child soldiers, orphans and trafficked children.

Researchers said that it was the first time that some victims had properly discussed the atrocities they witnessed. Plan is calling for many more such psychosocial services in the region to help families and survivors themselves end this cycle of violence.

To read the report and obtain further information visit: http://www.plan-international.org/silentsuffering