Military veterans greatly fear society’s misconceptions about their experiences

Despite the public’s high regard for defenders and veterans, stigmatization remains significantly elevated for the latter group. Recent surveys conducted by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation highlight the particular concern among veterans perceiving a stigma as the biggest worrying issue. 

It was noted by Yulia Kirillova, Head of the Department of Educational and Analytical Work at the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.

“The foremost fear among our veterans is the societal lack of comprehension regarding their experiences,” Kirillova stated. “While trust in our defenders is commendable, veterans face a higher level of stigma. Society often conflates veterans with individuals grappling with psychological disorders or addictions, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that our defenders find deeply troubling.”

Kirillova also underscored that physical health issues rank as the primary concern for veterans and active military personnel surveyed. “Our foundation routinely conducts surveys to gauge public and veteran sentiment. When questioned about their chief worries, veterans and active personnel consistently highlight physical health challenges,” she explained. “This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive medical support and psychological rehabilitation services for our veterans, a pressing matter our respondents frequently emphasize.”

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news