Alamdar and Montezar’s story – Artwork by Monann De Jong

“[I have witnessed] a continual decline in the children’s wellbeing, particularly related to their socialisation and psychological state.” – Detention centre youth worker

Afghan brothers, Alamdar and Montezar, were 13 and 12 when they were detained with their family in Australia’s remote Woomera immigration detention centre.

A psychologist who assessed Alamdar described him as ‘a child of good intelligence and of superior artistic talent,’ but noted that he was showing deep depressive symptoms made worse by the despair affecting his family. She wrote that what Alamdar needed most was ‘freedom and security,’ things that were impossible within the detention system.

Soon after, both boys began to harm themselves, showing the severe emotional toll of prolonged confinement. A youth worker who supported the family over the following year reported a continual decline in the children’s wellbeing and social development. Alamdar became withdrawn and alternated between sadness and anger, displaying clear signs of distress and trauma. His younger brother also struggled with loneliness and hopelessness.

Their story highlights the profound psychological damage that detention inflicts on children and the urgent need for freedom, safety and care in place of confinement.