‘What if someone experiences five, ten, 50 traumatic events in a row?’

The psychological harms of war have been known for over a century, but treating them has rarely been a top priority. That’s all too evident in Ukraine.

The sound of a guitar drifted out of a small wood on the steppe near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. Around 15 men of various ages in combat fatigues were waiting for their meal on rough wooden benches under camouflage netting slung from the trees. They looked tired and drawn. The deafening crash of artillery fire and a helicopter overhead on this May morning in 2024 were reminders that the front was only 20km away.

Oleksii Shuryga, a senior officer, was preparing food: he believes it’s important to stick close to troops who have recently returned from combat missions. He and his colleagues Dmytro and Tetiana belong to the psychological support unit of the Ukrainian army’s 47th mechanised infantry brigade. which has seen some of the heaviest fighting. ‘The lads will be able to relax, have a wash and clean their kit,’ Dmytro said, pointing to an old khaki-painted truck that served as a mobile sauna. ‘It’s important for morale.’

Veterans with severe PTSD can be dangerous. I’ve heard of some using knives to settle their issues… We need to do something to prevent violence from spreading through society Andriy Zholob

Shuryga sees more and more post-traumatic disorders (anxiety, adaptive and behavioural problems, insomnia, panic attacks). And apart from the fear of dying and explosion-related shock, he says there’s another reason for the extreme pressure on troops: ‘With increasing use of digital technology, aerial surveillance and drones, our men feel they’re being watched all the time. They’re exhausted. We have growing numbers of military psychologists, but the system for training them is inadequate in a war like this.’

Since the fighting began in February 2022, mental health has become a critical issue. According to the World Health Organization, attacks on civilian areas have triggered moderate-to-severe symptoms of stress in nearly 3.9 million people and destroyed facilities where they could be treated. Though a (…)

Full article: 1 504 words.

Caroline Thirion

Caroline Thirion is a journalist. This article was written with input from Arnaud Bertrand and the support of Belgium’s Fonds Pour le Journalisme.

(1) People identified only by a given name requested anonymity.

(2) ‘Ukraine is not alone’, Lancet Psychiatry, vol 11, no 11, November 2024.

(3) ‘How are you? As part of Olena Zelenska’s initiative, Ukrainians will be told about the importance of taking care of mental health’, 24 March 2023, www.president.gov.ua/.

(4) Élisabeth Sieca-Kozlowski, ‘The Post-Soviet Russian state facing war veterans’ psychological suffering: Concept and Legacy’, Journal of Power Institutions in Post-Soviet Societies, vol 14/15, 2013.

(5) Iryna Frankova et al, ‘Mental health and psychosocial support in Ukraine: Coping, help-seeking and health systems strengthening in times of war’, ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre and Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, Diemen/Amsterdam, February 2024.

(6) Marisa Casanova Dias et al, ‘The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on mental health in Ukraine’, Lancet Psychiatry, vol 11, no 11, November 2024.