Ukrainian soldiers and refugees undergo free psychological rehabilitation in Ivano-Frankivsk region

Ukrainian warriors and refugees undergo free psychological rehabilitation in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. 

This includes hippotherapy, mountain tours, and visiting a theater.

What's the problem?

War is a tough challenge for the psyche of every Ukrainian. Armed russian aggression has caused or exacerbated psychological problems and even mental health disorders in both military personnel and displaced people, as well as in those who are hundreds of thousands of kilometers from the front line.

According to preliminary data from Ukraine's Ministry of Health, as of the beginning of June 2022, 60% of the citizens will need psychological treatment.

At the beginning of the war, about 50% of patients needed antidepressants. They were also referred to licensed doctors – psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychoneurologists.

What's the solution?

Brass is the first volunteer surgical hospital in Ukraine. It has been providing free medical care to war victims for more than a year. Special emphasis is placed on restoring the mental health of patients.

"When people turned to us for medical help at the beginning of the full-scale war, we noticed many patients needed a psychologist's consultation. Free psychological rehabilitation of displaced people and military personnel became another direction of the activities," Stanislav Onyshchuk, founder of the Brass volunteer hospital, says.

"PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), acute stress disorders and conditions, panic attacks, problems with adaptation in a new city, and sleep disorders are the most common problems of patients," the hospital's psychologists stated.

How does it work?

Apart from individual consultations and medical treatment at the Brass hospital, the rehabilitation includes group classes, workshops, and watching films.

There are plenty of ways of psychosocial rehabilitation for the military:

• mountain trips,
• tours,
• visiting theaters and going to concerts,
• dancing,
• singing,
• drawing etc.

Patients admit that such worn, at first glance, socialization methods really benefit them.

"I've never thought the theater would help me return to life. I attend almost all social adaptation events – my soul really feels lighter," Artem, the soldier from the city of Sumy, said.

"I like trips to the mountains. I have never been to Prykarpattia (Ciscarpathia) before, and I am very interested in getting to know your region. It helps me forget the horrors of the war," Dmytro, an immigrant from the city of Poltava, said.

Hippotherapy is included in the complex treatment of Brass patients.

Hippotherapy is a way of treatment based on the interaction with a specially trained horse, adapted to the patient's ability to master horse riding. It is an internationally recognized method of rehabilitation after various diseases and social adaptation. The technique is especially effective for military personnel who have received injuries and contusions and need psychological help.

The uniqueness of the therapy lies in the simultaneous physical, psychological, and emotional effects on patients with neurological, mental, physical, and other serious disorders.

The Wesendorf equestrian sports club helps the fighters attend classes and ride horses for free.

The location of the medical institution also contributes to the recovery of the psyche. The inpatient department of the hospital is located on the outskirts of a large city. A forest and a small river can be seen near the building. The incredible nature and peace that prevail here help restore strength.

"I can see mountains from my ward's window. The Carpathians inspire me every day." patients share.

Over the past year, the hospital provided 256 consultations. The military attended 118 socialization and adaptation events.

To help people "on the ground", a team of psychologists from the hospital visited, with professional support, almost all centers for helping refugees in Prykarpattia.

Unfortunately, the war goes on, and the need for psychological rehabilitation grows every day.

In two months of 2023, more than 500 people applied for psychological counseling at the Brass hospital. The facility had to double its staff.  Four psychologists, a chaplain, and a psychotherapist work on the mental health of patients here. As well as the cat named Brasik.

Recently, the hospital signed a memorandum of cooperation with public organizations:

• Warrior's wife;
• Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Union of Family Members of Victims, Deceased and Missing in the Joint Forces Operation Zone.
• Families of the fallen defenders of Ivano-Frankivsk.

Psychologists started conducting trainings for companies whose employees worked in the war zone.

The hospital established activities with the Department of Psychology of the Vasyl Stefanyk Prykarpattia National State University.

"All these measures are aimed at realizing a common goal. Ukrainians demonstrate resilience and courage to the whole world. To win the war, we need psychological health.

It is crucial now to work on restoring the psyche so that the consequences of russian armed aggression are not experienced anymore by future generations. A healthy nation is also a part of the victory!" Stanislav Onyshchuk, the founder, assured.