title: Overview of the mental health research among residents of contaminated territories and Chernobyl clean up workers/"liquidators" in Belarus.
abstract: This review deals with the latest information concerning the studies of the effect of the Chernobyl accident on the mental health of different population groups of Belarus. Observed the pathogenesis of mental disorders, develop ing in individuals living in the contaminated territories. Reviewed different factors affecting the mental health of such population group as the liquidators. Disclosed is a phenomenon of squatters ("samosely") - people who vol untarily returned to their homes in the exclusion zone after the forced relocation. The data studies, including its own, mental disorders in children, exposed to radioactive exposure in different periods of development.
authors.affiliation: Belarusian State University, Institute of Management and Social Technologies, Department of Social Work and Rehabilitology, 7, Shpalernaya Str., Minsk 220027, Belarus.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Igumnov
authors.affiliation: Gomel State University, 5, Lange Str., Gomel 246000, Belarus.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Lapanau
keywords: Chernobyl accident; cesium 137; contaminated areas; exclusion zone; internal radiation; iodine 131; liquidators; mental health; nuclides; psycho organic syndrome; squatters; stroncium 90