Ukrainian soldiers receive support to recover from effects of war

By Anadolu Staff

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AA) - A rehabilitation center in Ukraine is providing psychological, physical and social support to Ukrainian soldiers who suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental health problems after serving in conflict zones.

The center was established in the northeast city of Kharkiv after Russia declared war on Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Soldiers are permitted to stay and receive therapy with their families and are re-deployed to the frontlines once their therapy process is completed.

So far, around 4,000 soldiers have received various forms of therapy at the center, including spending time with horses at the nearby equestrian sports training center.

- Special treatment program in progress

Igor Prihodko, head of the Scientific Research Center of the Ukrainian National Guard as well as a military psychologist group at the rehabilitation center in the Kharkiv region, told Anadolu that soldiers began showing signs of adaptation problems, aggression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies after the war began.

Prihodko said that as a result, the rehabilitation center was established and started operations in June 2022, adding that nearly 100 soldiers receive therapy sessions in a special treatment program that lasts two weeks.

“The rehabilitation program consists of three parts: psychological, medical and social support. Soldiers receive psychological treatment individually and in groups. In the medical section, sports include aromatherapy, speleotherapy and swimming in the pool. Social support includes meetings with artists, concerts, trips and therapy with horses,” he said.

Noting that they determine the soldiers’ psychological state by conducting a survey, Prihodko said: "The survey is done so that psychologists can work specifically with each soldier. At the end of each week, the condition of the soldiers and the developments are recorded."

- ‘The situation is very calm here’

Soldier Sergey, who did not want to disclose his surname, said: "The situation is very calm here. My wife and child are with me. I feel good," noting that the rehabilitation center helped him to renew his strength.

Sergey said he joined the Ukrainian army as a contracted personnel in 2013 and is currently in the mine clearing group of the 31st Mechanized Brigade operating in the Zaporizhia direction. He added that he will return to the frontlines once he completes his rehabilitation sessions.

Wishing strength and patience to the soldiers at the front, he said: “We know what we are fighting for. It is for our freedom and our land.”

Sergey’s wife Marina said she thinks about her husband all the time and experiences stress and anxiety.

“However, I accepted this situation. My husband and I can talk on the phone sometimes. I wish patience and strength to the soldiers' wives. I want them to believe that everything will be fine. I also want the war to end as soon as possible,” she said.

- ‘I was psychologically distanced from the situation at the front’

Andrey, who was in the 30th Mechanized Brigade, said he volunteered in the army when the war began and was among the first soldiers in the regional defense force in Zhytomyr. He is now serving in the infantry unit.

After volunteering to participate in the conflicts in the Izyum, Lysychans'k, Bakhmut and Soledar regions, he said: "I have psychologically moved on from the situation at the front. Here, I do not hear the sounds of guns and explosions. I was always tense there, but I am relaxed here. I am resting for the first time since the beginning of the war."

Andrey expressed his hope for the war to end as soon as possible and to reunite with his wife and child after being apart for 18 months.