Echoes of Conflict: PTSD and the Mental Health Crisis in Manipur

Since May 3rd, 2023, Manipur has been caught in a violent conflict that has displaced thousands of people, destroyed homes, and shaken the very fabric of society. The sounds of gunfire, the cries of grieving families, and the sight of homes reduced to ashes are not just temporary tragedies—they leave behind deep psychological scars.

While the physical destruction of the conflict is visible, the silent wounds of the mind are harder to see. Yet they are equally devastating. The growing reports of suicide cases in 2025 across the state point to a worsening mental health crisis, where conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are becoming alarmingly common.

Understanding PTSD: The Hidden Wound

PTSD is a psychiatric condition that arises after a person experiences or witnesses traumatic events such as violence, war, or displacement. Unlike normal stress, PTSD does not fade with time. The trauma returns in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, and overwhelming fear, disrupting every aspect of life.

People living through the conflict in Manipur are at particularly high risk because they face repeated and prolonged exposure to trauma—from losing loved ones to the uncertainty of survival in relief camps.

Symptoms That Haunt Survivors

PTSD manifests in many ways, often differing from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Intrusive thoughts – Unwanted and distressing memories that replay the trauma.
Nightmares and sleep disturbance – Fear of going to bed, staying up late, or keeping
lights on. This often leads to insomnia and daytime exhaustion.
Avoidance behaviors – Deliberately avoiding people, places, or activities that remind them of the trauma.
Memory loss – Difficulty recalling details of events or impaired episodic memory.
Negative thoughts – Persistent self-blame, guilt, shame, or hopelessness.
Isolation and withdrawal – Distancing themselves from family, friends, and society.
Anger and irritability – Frequent hostility or irritability that strains relationships.
Difficulty concentrating – Poor focus, affecting education, work, and daily functioning.
These symptoms don’t just affect individuals; they ripple out to families and entire communities, creating a cycle of distress.

The Impacts of PTSD: More Than Just a Disorder

If left untreated, PTSD can worsen over time, triggering a cascade of mental, physical, and social problems.

Mental Health Impacts

Depression – Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and lack of motivation.
Anxiety disorders – Panic attacks, excessive fear, or phobias.
Substance use – Alcohol and drugs used as unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Bipolar disorder – Mood instability worsened by trauma.
Personality disorders – Especially borderline personality disorder due to emotional dysregulation.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors – Increased risk of self-harm and suicide attempts.

Physical Health Impacts

Chronic pain – Increased muscle tension or worsened injuries.
Cardiovascular issues – Higher rates of hypertension and heart disease from prolonged stress.
Weakened immunity – Stress makes the body vulnerable to infections.
Digestive problems – Stress-related disorders like IBS become more common.

Social and Cognitive Impacts

Poor memory and concentration – Affecting work, school, and daily functioning.
Relationship difficulties – Emotional numbness, irritability, and withdrawal strain family bonds.
Employment struggles – Difficulty holding jobs due to fatigue, anxiety, and flashbacks.
In Manipur, where entire communities are displaced and traditional support systems disrupted, these effects are amplified.

PTSD and Depression: A Dangerous Combination

One of the most concerning aspects of PTSD is its close link with depression. Studies show that rates of depression among trauma survivors can range from 8% to 60% shortly after injury or conflict, and remain high even months later.

Predictors of depression include being female, sustaining a head injury, loss of an extremity, or living with chronic pain. But in the context of Manipur, social isolation, cultural breakdown, and long-term displacement act as powerful triggers.

When depression overlaps with PTSD, the risk of suicidal behavior rises sharply. This is one of the reasons why Manipur is now seeing increasing suicide cases in 2025. Survivors describe feelings of hopelessness, emotional numbness, and a belief that life will never improve—all of which drive the tragedy further.

Treatment and Management: Pathways to Healing

The good news is that PTSD is treatable. With timely intervention, many survivors can rebuild their lives.

Psychotherapy – Trauma-focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) are proven methods.
Medications – Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines help stabilize symptoms.
Community-based support – Counseling services and peer support groups in relief camps and villages bring treatment closer to those in need.

Traditional and faith-based healing – In culturally rich states like Manipur, rituals,
storytelling, and spiritual practices provide emotional strength.

Building Resilience: Beyond Treatment

Treatment is only one part of recovery. Healing from conflict also requires building resilience at both community and policy levels.

Social support networks – Families, NGOs, and grassroots organizations provide a
lifeline.
Peacebuilding initiatives – Restoring dialogue and trust between divided groups.
Rehabilitation programs – For ex-combatants and displaced families.
Cultural coping strategies – Storytelling, music, and rituals unique to Manipur that foster resilience.

The Role of Policy and Public Health

Manipur’s mental health crisis cannot be solved at the individual level alone—it demands a systemic response.
Integrating mental health into conflict recovery programs.
Training health workers in trauma-informed care.
Establishing suicide prevention hotlines and crisis centers.
Involving NGOs, UN agencies, and local health services in coordinated mental health
care.
Prioritizing mental health in post-conflict rehabilitation policies to ensure long-term
healing.

The growing cases of suicide in 2025 serve as a stark warning: unless urgent steps are taken, the invisible wounds of conflict will continue to claim lives.

Conclusion: Healing the Unseen Wounds

The conflict in Manipur has left visible scars on homes, schools, and villages. But the deepest wounds are carried silently within people’s minds. PTSD is not a weakness—it is a wound of war, as real as any bullet injury.

Rebuilding Manipur is not only about reconstructing houses or restoring law and order—it is about restoring hope, dignity, and mental well-being. Healing the unseen wounds is just as important as healing the visible ones.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please call the
Tele-MANAS Manipur helpline at 14416 or reach out to a mental health professional. Help is available, and healing is possible.

Chittaranjan Meitram

Chittaranjan Meitram is a Psychiatric Social Worker with clinical exposure as an intern at MIMHANS (Meghalaya Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences) and the Centre for Mental Hygiene, Changangei, Imphal. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in Medical & Psychiatric Social Work.