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Trauma

The Youngest War Survivors

In Ukraine, there's growing acceptance of psychological support for children.

Key points

  • Soviet-era stigma lingers, but mental health care is gaining ground in Ukraine.
  • Mental help for young people can be particularly problematic.
  • Counseling isn’t enough. To heal, the environment needs to be stable.

"You want your kid to have psychological support? Is he psycho? Are you psycho?"

According to Azad Safarov, founder of the charitable foundation Voices of Children, that’s the kind of reaction you once might have heard in Ukraine if you suggested counseling for a child. "Five years ago, or even three years ago, people in Ukraine had little understanding of the need for psychological support for anyone, particularly children," he states.

Historical Context of Psychology in Ukraine

Such an attitude stems from the legacy of the former Soviet Union, where psychology was associated with the silencing of political opponents. Soviet therapists could and did institutionalize political opponents of the regime by declaring them mentally ill. Even though it was done a generation ago, the weaponization of the profession of psychology has left a memory that makes people uncomfortable about seeking psychological help today.

However, the current war in Ukraine is causing a change in perspective. According to Safarov, many Ukrainians, including his organization, now have a more Western-style appreciation of the benefits of psychology. Voices of Children is working to help children rescued from Russian occupation, providing them with much-needed psychological support.

Oleg Needed Psychological Support

Take the actual case of Oleg. At age 12, he was forced to live in a basement with his family during the siege of Mariupol. For 40 days, they endured constant fear, uncertainty, hunger, thirst, and anxiety. Often the sounds of explosions and gunfire were echoing above them. Occasionally. Oleg had to venture above ground to scavenge for food or water, always encountering dead and decomposing bodies. Each outing meant the fear of becoming one of the lifeless figures himself.

After 40 days, the family escaped through one of the humanitarian corridors that the Russians intermittently allowed. However, the hardship of Oleg and others who endured the Russian invasion did not end there. Too often, children who have escaped the nightmare of Russian occupation are plagued with flashbacks and insomnia; during the day, they may suffer from hypervigilance, feeling constantly on edge and alert for danger. Emotional numbness and detachment may set in as coping mechanisms for the overwhelming trauma. Survivors may struggle with feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and survivor’s guilt.

A Lifetime of Support

Azad Safarov, used with permission.
Oleg still has emotional scars after 40 days hiding in a basement in Mariupol.
Source: Azad Safarov, used with permission.

Oleg was able to recover from the trauma of living under Russian occupation. According to Safarov, Oleg’s grandmother played a crucial role in his recovery. "She was like a mother to him, and it was important for him to have someone to share his experiences with and not feel alone. The fact that the family stayed together in the basement and were evacuated together was vital."

When Oleg returned to Ukraine, Voices of Children arranged for him to start working with a psychologist. However, psychological support alone was not enough. "You can offer psychological help 24/7,” says Safarov, “but if a family doesn't have a place to live, it’s challenging to address the mental state of the child."

The family found a house in a village that was a natural environment for them. Oleg began attending school. He played football, made friends, and even found a girlfriend, all of which contributed positively to his mental health.

Despite the improvements, Oleg is not trauma-free. Last spring, he was invited to address Parliament in London.

According to Safarov, "When he was on stage and starting to talk about what he has seen and how he has survived, his hands started to shake, his face turned white, and he began to cry. It was evident that he is still in trauma. He couldn’t finish his talk."

The experience underscores the long-lasting impact of trauma. Despite appearances, Oleg's psychological scars remain. Safarov emphasizes the need to build supportive environments for Oleg and children like him. "We have to create an environment that allows them to study, play, and receive professional help while understanding that the trauma will at least in part stay with them forever. Oleg shows all the signs of being fine on the surface, but once he remembers what he has seen, the trauma resurfaces."

Voices of Children continues to support Oleg and children like him, ensuring they have the resources and environments they need to live their lives despite the enduring pain of past experience. Currently, there are thousands of children living near the front line, Safarov observes. All of them will need counseling and other support. Safarov wants to help more of them.

References

Voices of Children

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