Donbas children seek salvation from war trauma by addressing psychologists of Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center

500 children, who have already spent their vacation in Fakel summer camp, were provided with consultations of psychologists from Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center. They had group classes and individual counselling organized for them, during which the psychologists helped to get rid of accumulated anxiety and stress, caused by military actions that children saw back at home. Very often children ask for a consultation or support of psychologist themselves.

The specialists from Psychological service have a way with each child, helping to relax. Most often kids complain about nightmares, fear to lose parents, fear of their own death. However, they don't always come with clear questions and complaints, they often go just intuitively.

"Emotional stress caused by was does not have age or sex. It can equally affect boys and girls of all ages. Basically, all kids are cautions about psychologists in the very beginning. Those, who are younger, perceive group classes as entertainment, but the methods of working with young children are actually aimed at fighting fears softly, through games and drawing. Teenagers, however, can understand their own concerns, and ask psychologists to help, talk to them and listen. Someone cannot adapt to the new place of residence, someone is afraid for himself and his family, staying in the area of military actions. We try to give maximum attention and help all children", – Alla Antonova, psychologist from Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center, shares. 

Recently the Psychological service received a request from children resting in the neighbouring camp. Pupils of Marinka boarding school, who left their hometown located on the front line, asked psychologists for help. Since the 10th of August the specialists from Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center started working with them. 

Altogether, from the very beginning of Psychological service operation at Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center, assistance was provided to more than 23,000 Donbas children of different age, both living in NGCA and IDPs across the country.

Psychological service of Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center is working in Donetsk, Makiivka, Yenakiieve, Khartsyzk, Horlivka, Mariupol and Kyiv. For IDPs with children, psychologists are available across the whole territory of Ukraine. To sign up for a consultation, please call the Humanitarian Center's hotline: 0800 509 001. You can also ask a question to psychologist anonymously via [email protected].