Facing War Every Day: How Ukraine's Emergency Psychologists Support Rescuers and Civilians.

today, 02:30 284

today, 02:30 284

Rescuers psychologists help each other

The Critical Role of State Emergency Service Psychologists in Wartime

According to UATV: Psychologists from Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) play a vital part during the war with Russia. Their work not only safeguards the mental health of rescue workers but also provides essential support for civilians caught in the conflict. The SES psychological unit confronts immense challenges daily, dealing with widespread casualties and severe trauma resulting from the ongoing armed conflict.

Olha Demennykova, who has served with the SES for 15 years—including a decade in the Ukrainian Armed Forces—now heads the department of psychological support and social protection. She recalls that her interest in psychology began when her first child was born, reflecting a deep personal commitment to helping others through difficult times.

“I started getting into psychology when my first child was born,”

she says, highlighting her long-standing passion for the field.

Anastasiia Lysevych, who joined the SES in 2019, emphasizes the service's unique mission:

“The SES is a place that gives you the opportunity to help people.”

She notes that the unit's psychologists conduct supervision sessions for colleagues who face harrowing situations.

“The most important thing that helped me cope back then was knowing that after a difficult call, I could go to my supervisors, and they would explain everything, show me what to do, calm me down, and conduct a supervision session for me,”

Anastasiia explains.

Tragic Statistics and a Systematic Approach

In May 2023 alone, 274 civilians were killed and 1,800 wounded in Ukraine—just one grim statistic among many that SES psychologists must process. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the UN has confirmed over 16,000 civilian deaths, including nearly 800 children. Olha Demennykova notes:

“We track every call our teams respond to, whether it involved fatalities or injuries,”

demonstrating the systematic approach psychologists use to monitor how critical incidents affect their colleagues.

Ultimately, SES psychologists carry out an essential mission during wartime, working to support both rescue personnel and the civilian population. Their efforts help treat not only physical injuries but also the deep psychological scars left by war.

The work of SES psychologists amid war underscores the critical need for mental health support—not just for soldiers, but for ordinary citizens enduring these traumatic times. Psychological care is crucial for overcoming the wounds inflicted by armed conflict and provides necessary relief for those who risk their lives to save others. Successful implementation of their programs can significantly reduce the war's long-term negative impact on society as a whole.