Violence and mental health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2002) over 300 000 people died in 2000 as a direct result of violent conflicts. The rates ranged from less than 1 per 100 000 population in high-income countries to 6.2 per 100 000 in low- and middle-income countries. Torture, rape and violation of human rights are also used to terrorise and undermine communities. Violence not only results in death and direct physical injury but also affects mental health and subsequent physical health (WHO, 2002). According to the WHO, an estimated 1.6 million people worldwide lost their lives to violence in 2000. About half of the deaths were attributed to suicide, nearly a third were due to homicide, and about a fifth were casualties of armed conflicts.