Seven and 40

Extraordinary figures in this piece suggesting that a staggering number of people in Cambodia needs to be diagnosed, treated and counselled for the psychological effects of mass violence.

Cambodia is one of the 50 so-called post-conflict nations -- Afghanistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda and Zimbabwe are among the others -- that have been hit hard by man-made violence.

As a result, more than 40 percent of Cambodia's population, according to a U.N. estimate, are mentally ill enough to require professional attention.

The overriding reason for such a high incidence is that many Cambodians have experienced no less than seven traumatic events in his or her lifetime, either suffering or witnessing acts of violence ranging from murder to the assault and rape of friends and family members, homelessness, and the loss of loved ones through starvation and disease.

Fortunately groups like the Peter C. Alderman Foundation are offering help in treating victims of terror.

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