A new center for veterans has opened in Kyiv: free psychological assistance will be provided to 4000 people.

According to ТСН: Each year, the Kyiv center will provide free and quality psychological assistance to over 4,000 military personnel, veterans, and their relatives.

The 'RETURN' Project

The 'RETURN' project demonstrates successful collaboration between the private sector and the state. Benefactors are opening modern, comfortable, and barrier-free mental health centers in state medical institutions. The new center of the 'RETURN' network is based on one of Kyiv's key medical facilities.

Space Updates

As part of the 'RETURN' project, a major renovation has been carried out in part of the premises on the first floor. The space is designed with principles of barrier-free access, inclusivity, and psychological safety in mind. Wide doors, absence of thresholds, inclusive restrooms, and anti-slip flooring ensure comfort for all visitors, regardless of physical limitations or health conditions.

Center Values

One of the main values of the center and the entire 'RETURN' network is psychological inclusivity. This means that the space, communication, and therapeutic methods create conditions under which each visitor, regardless of their experience or depth of trauma, feels safety, dignity, and the opportunity to openly discuss their problems.

During the opening of the center, the founder of the 'RETURN' project, Viktor Pinchuk, noted:

“RETURN for me and my wife Olena is a strategic project. Unfortunately, for our country, this will be a project not only during the time of war and not just for the coming years. I believe that the next generation will take care of the mental health of those who fought and are fighting, as well as their family members. We are creating these centers as an open benchmark — so that the state, businesses, and patrons can join and scale this model. Working with veterans is not about years, but about decades. Alongside defense and economic recovery, this is one of the key areas that will determine the country’s development for many years to come.”

Center Structure

The Kyiv 'RETURN' center is designed for comprehensive work. It includes rooms for individual and group therapies, a day care room, a treatment room, a doctor's office, and a reception area with comfortable waiting spots. The entire environment is created to reduce stress levels and support the process of psychological recovery.

The center is equipped with all the necessary equipment to work with the consequences of trauma, including computers, psychological relief systems, and other therapeutic tools.

Team of Specialists

The center has a multidisciplinary team consisting of doctors, psychologists, and veteran support specialists. This model of work ensures a comprehensive approach to assistance, considering the clinical, psychological, and social needs of visitors.

Nataliya Petrenko, head of the mental health center in Kyiv:

“A person-centered approach in the field of mental health means starting not with a diagnosis, but with a person. For us, it is important that the veteran or veteran’s family member is an active participant in their own recovery: setting goals, expressing needs, and understanding the purpose of each step.”

Areas of Work

The center provides assistance to individuals with stress consequences, anxiety and depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress, and difficulties adapting to peaceful life. Evidence-based approaches are used, focusing on feelings of safety and gradual recovery of mental resilience.

The 'RETURN' project also encompasses an educational component aimed at developing the field of mental health in Ukraine through modern training programs for specialists focused on evidence-based methods.

The network of mental health centers 'RETURN' is already operational in various cities of Ukraine and plans to create 25 centers that will be able to annually assist over 100 thousand military personnel, veterans, and their families.