For nearly forty years, journalist Fergal Keane has reported from some of the world’s most violent conflicts, speaking to children whose lives have been shattered by war. Through his work in places such as Gaza, Iraq, Rwanda, Sudan and Ukraine, he has witnessed firsthand the deep and lasting impact that violence and displacement can have on young minds.

Over time, Keane began to recognise similar patterns of trauma in himself. Shaped by a difficult childhood and decades spent covering conflict, he experienced severe mental health struggles and was eventually diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. His personal journey has deepened his understanding of how trauma embeds itself in the brain.

In this episode of The Global Story, he reflects on what science and experience reveal about the effects of war on children, how trauma can be treated, and why recovery is possible even in the darkest circumstances. The discussion offers insight and hope for families living through today’s conflicts.