**Ukraine’s Mental Health Workers Tackle War Trauma and Soviet Stigma in Front-Line Regions**
In the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is facing a daunting challenge: addressing the mental health concerns of its citizens. Millions have been displaced, and many have witnessed or experienced trauma firsthand.
For psychologist Olena Husman, who works with SOS Children’s Villages, providing mental health services to children in rural settlements near the front lines has become her mission. Every week, she and her team bring joy and comfort to kids like those in Savyntsi, a community that was heavily shelled and occupied by Russian troops.
As we step into the basement shelter of a school in Savyntsi, the sound of children’s laughter fills the air. Husman, with her bright blonde bob and tortoise-shell glasses, greets a young girl in pigtails with a high five, and soon the kids are dancing to children’s songs. It’s a small moment of normalcy in a life that has been turned upside down.
**Rebuilding Childhoods**
In 2022, Savyntsi was one of many communities ravaged by war. Residents were tortured, disappeared, or forced to flee, leaving behind a quarter of the population. Children who stayed behind spent months hiding from Russian troops, their lives put on hold.
“It’s very important that our children still have a childhood, even if it was partially stolen by military aggression,” says Liliia Novoselska, Savyntsi’s chief education department specialist. “The children were under occupation for a long time, sitting in basements.”
Novoselska’s words echo the sentiment of Ukraine’s social policy minister, who told us that addressing mental health problems will be one of the country’s biggest challenges in the coming years.
**Mental Health Concerns**
According to a World Health Organization survey, psychological distress is the most prevalent health issue in Ukraine. Nearly half of Ukrainians face some sort of mental health concern, with numbers rising to three-quarters or more in regions closest to the front lines.
Psychologists working with children and their caretakers say that youth have fallen behind on socializing with others their age, especially near the front lines, where schooling is held remotely and children spent months in hiding. “There’s a desire to communicate, but the skills are missing,” says Husman.
SOS Children’s Villages has designed tailored activities for each group of children, using glitter, clay, markers, music, and games to help them communicate with one another and express their feelings.
**Hope Amidst Trauma**
As we leave the shelter in Savyntsi, it’s clear that these children have already faced more than most can imagine. Yet, amidst the trauma, there is hope. With organizations like SOS Children’s Villages providing support and care, Ukraine’s youth are being given a chance to rebuild their childhoods.
“We’re not just treating mental health issues; we’re giving them a chance for a different life,” says Husman.
As we continue to follow this story, it’s clear that addressing the mental health concerns of Ukrainians will be an ongoing challenge. But with the help of dedicated workers like Olena Husman and organizations like SOS Children’s Villages, there is hope for a brighter future.
**Learn more about Ukraine’s mental health crisis and how you can help:**
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