Socio-Mental Health Support of Military and Civilians During War Time: Psychosocial Factors

Abstract

The article examines the problem of mental health support under martial law, which has become particularly relevant in the country over the past three years, as the state of war has significantly worsened the mental well-being of all categories of the population, especially the military. The study is based on the Ukrainian experience and examines the socio-psychological aspects of this support, as well as the state policy in this area. The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of governmentprograms and programs of NGOs aimed at improving and maintaining the mental health of military and civilians affected by military aggression. The study was conducted on the basis of empirical data obtained at the Center for Mental Health (Ivano-Frankivsk). The article uses the method of synthesis and analysis, descriptive method, empirical (survey method) and static methods. The study outlines the concepts of mental health and psychological recovery as important factors in the sustainable development of society; describes the directions and specifics of the work of the newly established mental health centers in Ukraine, the forms and means of providing psychological assistance to the military and the population affected by military operations; and conducts a survey of the military on the effectiveness of psychological assistance received in these centers. The psychological state of the respondents interviewed at the mental health center indicates that they are experiencing different levels of stress and have feelings of fear, lack of self-confidence, lack of understanding of the dynamism of the situation, a decrease in vital energy spent on constant worries, and difficulty in adaptation processes. The majority of people seeking psychological support experience a sense of loss (loss of loved ones, home, social connections, work, hobbies, etc.), which significantly worsens the overall picture of traumatic stress and leads to depression.