Mobile Teams of Psychologists From the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation Help Local Residents and IDPs in Zaporizhzhia Region
The mobile teams of psychologists from the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation travel throughout Ukraine and provide psychological counselling for citizens from vulnerable social categories. Recently, the Foundation’s psychologists visited Shyrokivska amalgamated community in Zaporizhzhia region, where they met with local residents and IDPs.
Viktoriya Pasichnyk, an IDP from Berdiansk, attended a counselling session. Together with her husband and their son, she left at the very beginning of their city’s occupation by the russians.
“I have some panic attacks, which can be triggered by any trifle. That is why, the work of a psychologist is very important. I use some exercises, and they help me a lot. For example, thanks to some breathing practices, I can recompose myself and can soothe my teenage son,” says Viktoriya.
In her opinion, people in Ukraine really need such lectures and the help of psychologists now.
“I am grateful to the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for the opportunity to undergo such a training. I have learned about some basic techniques: how to recompose yourself, how to live through your emotions, how to at least start to cope with yourself,” says the woman.
The project of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for psychological assistance to victims of the war began in 2014, and mobile teams of psychologists joined it in 2022. This year, the Foundation’s psychologists also help high school students, doctors, and teachers who require additional attention due to psychological stress.
Since 2014, more than 145,000 Ukrainians have received psychological assistance from the Foundation. To that end, 250 psychologists were trained by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation in the War Trauma course.
