In a globalized world, violence, present in all forms and in all places, is a public health problem with serious early or late consequences for the mental health of those who are direct or indirect victims. Violence is avoidable and preventable and is not evenly distributed by population groups or regions being among the top 20 causes worldwide of years lost due to disability and with a projected increase by 2030 according to the World Health Organization (Mathers, Fat & Boerma, 2008).

The search was made on ScienceDirect database, using the following keywords: posttraumatic stress disorder; violence and war. It was included documents in English published between 2004 and 2015; as well as textbooks and documents officers.

Violence is a risk factor for the disorder of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which, in turn, is also a risk factor for perpetrating violence. The PTSD can occur when a person faces or faces an unexpected traumatic stressor, such as war, violent personal assault, have been held hostage or kidnapped confinement as a prisoner of war, torture, terrorist attack, or serious car accidents (Javidi & Yadollahie, 2012). The costs of violence are high and its routinization for a living have important effects on mental health.

Studies in relation to PTSD and violence are necessary for us to have a better understanding of the phenomenon and its consequences for public health, as well as to promote the mental health of all.

References not available.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.