Themes by tag: psychological support

Volodymyr became interested in pottery in his youth: he tried different techniques and learned from many masters. He had to quit doing it when Russia first attacked Ukraine in the east. Volodymyr mobilized in 2015, took up an anti-tank guided missile, and became an enemy of Russian tanks. After demobilization, he got back to his hobby of pottery. After February 24, 2022, Volodymyr began volunteering and helping Ukrainian defenders. In particular, he visited one of the capital’s hospitals to support the military and hold a pottery workshop for them. Today, the veteran and his wife conduct art therapy for the military in their workshop. They have enlisted the support of the Ukrainian Veterans Fund to scale up into a Pottery Art Center and create an art residence. They plan to take in more military personnel who need therapy.

• culture
• military
• psychological support
• volunteers

Denys Dudnyk is a professional pilot who served at the Sevastopol international airport in Belbek from 1993 to 1995. In 2014, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and participated in the battles near Volnovakha and Debaltseve. After his demobilization in 2015, Denys set up a knifemaking workshop as a therapy for the military. When the full-scale invasion began, Denys enlisted in the army again. Russians destroyed his workshop and home in the Kyiv region, and the soldier was injured at the front. Later, Denys took part in the Ukrainian Veterans Fund’s Varto 2.0 project, secured financial support, and opened the Tanto psychological assistance hub in Irpin. The hub employs psychologists ready to provide psychological assistance to veterans and those who lost loved ones during the war.

• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

Oleksii Kushner took up arms in 2014 and fought as an Azov regiment member. After demobilization, he experienced problems with socialization. The man began his rehabilitation with long walks and hikes in the mountains. Over time, he realized that the mountains made him feel a sense of calm. In 2016, Oleksii started work as a mountain hiking trip guide for other military personnel. On February 24, 2022, Kushner enlisted in the army again and is now defending Ukraine at the front. But he is already looking for a location to go back to practice mountain therapy for the military, however, not including hiking this time. After all, many service members who have been injured and need rehabilitation may be unable to handle long climbs. Oleksii plans to implement the mountains rehab project with the money he received as compensation for the death of his military father.

Journalists can contact Oleksii online. In addition, the soldier can send journalists photos and videos of his previous projects on mountain therapy.

• military
• psychological support

Canine specialists of Base 4.5.0. the Center for Innovative Military Rehabilitation will hold canine therapy sessions in the capital. Several trained dogs were chosen for therapy: Welsh corgi Foksi and Laisve, German boxer Linda, and Yorkshire terrier Shusha. The center experts say that during their first sessions they worked with the children who had stopped speaking after the beginning of russia’s invasion. However, after working with animals, the children started talking again. Canine therapists say that working with dogs normalizes the work of the nervous system, reduces stress, conflict and anxiety.

For reference: Canine therapy is a method of positive psychosocial and physical rehabilitation influence on people with the help of specially trained dogs. It is one of the methods of zootherapy.

• animals
• casualties
• children
• psychological support
• Kyiv

In the Zhytomyr region, rehabilitation classes with horses are being held for wounded soldiers and veterans as part of the “Hippotherapy – Back in Life’s Saddle” project. The equine-assisted therapy program includes feeding the animals, engaging in activities with them, and riding with an experienced instructor. All this is free of charge. Classes are held outdoors.

For reference: Hippotherapy is a method of treatment based on human interaction with a specially trained horse adapted to the rider’s ability to master riding.

• animals
• military
• psychological support

The Military Innovation Rehabilitation Center “BASE 4.5.0” has worked with combatants and their families for over six years. This time they are organizing water therapy. The military will be given surfing and wakeboarding lessons. In addition to physical exercises, the soldiers will have a theoretical part with military psychologists. The Center says such classes help the military return to civilian life.

• doctors
• military
• psychological support

On June 30, at 11:00 AM, Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform will host a presentation of the “Guide for Veterans and Their Family Members” (within the system of providing psychological, medical-psychological, and psychiatric care in Ukraine).

This guide is a collection of work and adapted materials based on the experience of the crisis support hotline of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation (UVF) of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. It was prepared by expert psychologists who work as UVF Hotline Counselors. The guide contains a “Road Map” to the system of psychological, medical and psychiatric care, as well as recommendations for veterans and their family members.

The participants of the event will include:

Svitlana Kashenets — Deputy Minister for Veteran Affairs

Natalia Kalmykova — Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation

Oleksandr Chamorsov — veteran, UVF Crisis Hotline Counselor, crisis psychologist, trauma therapist

Olena Lashko — UVF Crisis Hotline Counselor

Oksana Zbitnieva — Head of Barrier-Free NGO, Head of the Coordination Center for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

The WOMAN AND WAR psychologists charity platform helps and supports women and children affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In that regard, specialists have developed various group therapies: those for mothers, for women abroad, for women who lost a loved one during the war, for military wives, and teenagers.

In 15 months, the team has assisted nearly 7000 women and children.

Journalists can talk to the charity platform psychologist, as well as to participants who have applied for help by prior arrangement. 

• children
• psychological support
• volunteers
• women

Gen.Ukrainian NGO deals with the treatment of children’s psychological trauma caused by the war. The organization is supported by the Olena Zelenska Foundation.

One of the project’s missions is to update international protocols for helping war-affected children around the world based on the real experience of the war in Ukraine.

Gen.Ukrainian organized a Gen.Camp, a health and educational camp for the psychological rehabilitation of children who have experienced traumatic events, lost their parents or witnessed war crimes.

Gen.Camp is a free camp that was based in Spain last year, and this year is located in the Carpathians. Ukrainian therapists work with young Ukrainians to stabilize their psycho-emotional state. (A new group of children will come to the camp on May 18).

• casualties
• children
• psychological support
• russian crimes

Metta NGO provides military members with an opportunity to mentally recover by taking part in 1-2 day trips to the Carpathians. Participation in such hikes is free (food and transport will be provided). Mountain therapy is intended for military personnel on leave, military personnel undergoing rehabilitation, discharged soldiers, military medics, paramedics and volunteers, as well as their families.

• military
• psychological support