The hardest thing for Andriy after returning to civilian life was walking around his beloved Kyiv. Not because he had to get used to his prosthesis, but because of panic attacks that could be triggered by certain sounds.
Dmytro, on the other hand, dreamed of walking around Ternopil with his family as soon as possible. But he was tormented by phantom pains.
In search of a solution, both veterans sought psychological help for the first time in their lives.
We will tell you what issues psychologists can help veterans with and where you can get qualified help online and offline for free.
Andriy Golopapa: "The hardest part was in the hospital. And then — going out into the city."
At the time of the full-scale invasion, Andriy was only 18 years old. Despite his lack of military experience, he decided to interrupt his studies at the university and go to the front.
War veteran Andriy Golopapa joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine when he was 18 years old. Photo from social media.
He was wounded in the battles for the Donetsk region: a mortar shell literally cut off his left leg below the knee. The limb could not be saved.
The weeks in the hospital dragged on very slowly: memories, thoughts, replaying events in his head. Andriy felt that while the doctors were working to improve his physical condition, his mental state was deteriorating.
"In veteran slang, there is a word 'soldering'. It's hard to categorize, but military folks will understand me. So that's when my 'soldering' began," the veteran shares. "I was 'soldering' from lying in the ward. I couldn't go for a walk outside. I just lay there alone with my thoughts. And they were not happy ones."
Andriy began working with a psychologist during his rehabilitation in Lviv. Several sessions helped stabilize his condition, and he began taking antidepressants.
But when he returned to Kyiv, he felt his emotional state worsening.
On the street or in the subway, any loud noise could trigger a panic attack for Andriy.
"The Russian language was also a trigger for me," says the veteran. "When I heard it on the street, I was overwhelmed with emotions. The same thing happened with some people's reactions to the fact that I was sitting on public transport and not giving up my seat: certain looks, comments — I just couldn't take it."
Andriy understood that it was time to return to individual psychotherapy, but he didn't have enough money for it because he was going back to university and had to rent a place to live.
"So I looked for psychologists who work with military personnel or veterans for free, and I found a wonderful psychotherapist, Olga," the young man recalls. "My main question was simple: how to live with this. I mean, not with a disability, because I was already used to that at that point, but how to live in society with all the challenges I encounter as a civilian."
After six months of individual therapy, Andriy's emotional state improved.
War veteran Andriy Golopapa is currently studying at Kyiv National University and will become a physicist, like his grandmother and grandfather. Photo from social media
"There are many things that our civil society still needs to work on. The things that trigger me have not disappeared so quickly, unfortunately. But it is possible to work on your perception to make life easier. Don't delay. It may seem that after talking to a friend or complaining to your wife, things have gotten easier. But then suddenly you find yourself lying in bed and seeing no point in getting up," the veteran shares.
Andriy Golopapa has now returned to Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where he is studying physics. He combines his studies with volunteer work: together with other students, he has organized an initiative to regularly visit soldiers in the hospital.
Veteran Andriy Golopapa visiting defenders undergoing treatment in Kyiv hospitals. Photo by Andriy Nadav
The veteran dreams that such an initiative will spread to other cities and villages, because he remembers well how difficult it was for him to spend weeks and months in a hospital ward.
"I was lucky: my wife and relatives could visit me. But it was still difficult," says Andriy. "And here (in one of the capital's hospitals — ed.), there are many people whom no one visits. For various reasons. I really want to influence this situation somehow, so that people start visiting soldiers and veterans in hospitals. To bring them a bottle of water and just talk to them—they really need that. It's also psychological support from society."
Dmytro Romanchuk: "I felt my fingers, which I no longer have, going numb, and my amputated leg hurting."
When the full-scale invasion began, Dmytro took his pregnant wife from Mariupol first to Dnipro, then to Ternopil.
In September 2022, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine when his son was one month old.
War veteran Dmytro Romanchuk, photo provided by Dmytro
For two years, the man defended Donetsk and Kharkiv regions in the hottest spots. In June 2024, he was seriously wounded by a drone strike in the Lyman direction.
"I underwent a total of 10 operations, but unfortunately, my leg could not be saved and had to be amputated above the knee," says Dmytro.
The veteran wanted to return to his family as soon as possible and start working, but the phantom pains that appeared after the amputation did not give him any peace.
"I couldn't sleep or feel normal," recalls Dmytro. "I felt my toes, which I no longer have, going numb; my amputated knee hurting; and all of this causing severe cramps... Painkillers dulled the pain a little, but it never went away completely."
The doctors advised him to see a psychotherapist about this problem, and Dmytro immediately agreed. He began working with a psychologist while in the hospital in Lviv, via video link.
"At first, the sessions were every other day. We talked about various things and performed special tasks," says Dmytro. "I was most impressed by the 'speedometer' exercise, when, imagining a car speedometer, I could reduce the intensity of phantom pain almost to the point of complete elimination."
Just realizing that the pain, which seemed insurmountable, could be controlled, improved the veteran's psychological state: his irritability decreased and his ability to concentrate on something else increased.
"I was able to talk to my wife on the phone for a long time again, because before it was difficult for me to concentrate on the conversation and express my thoughts. This was the first such important result for me. Then at some point, the psychotherapist asked me how my phantom pains were, and I realized that they had gone away without me even noticing," says Dmytro.
Veteran Dmytro Romanchuk tests his electronic prosthesis. Photo provided by Dmytro
The veteran has now fully mastered his microprocessor prosthesis and is preparing to return to work: he has received the job offer he had been dreaming of. He considers his unwavering desire to be the secret to his rapid physical and psychological rehabilitation: "The basis of health is the desire to be healthy. When a person truly wants to overcome their illnesses or anxieties above all else, all they need to do is find the right helper, and everything will work out!"
Everyone needs time to recover, but don't miss the warning signs.
The experience of military service during wartime, even if it passed without tragic episodes, leaves its mark. It can be difficult for defenders to adjust to civilian life. It seems that all you need to do is get home, hug your loved ones, and everything will fall into place. But sometimes the state of tension and combat readiness does not go away even at home.
"The family should understand that after returning home, the defender needs time for their nervous system to recover. They need to sleep in order to restore their biorhythms and rest. But if after a month or a month and a half the tension, sleep problems, and apathy do not decrease, it is worth seeking help," explains clinical psychologist and trauma therapist Iryna Tkach.
Iryna Tkach, a trauma therapist from Mariupol, has been working with military personnel and veterans since 2014.
The psychologist began actively working with military personnel back in 2014 in Mariupol. She says that since then, the Ukrainian military's perception of psychological help has changed significantly. Word of mouth has worked: the example of comrades who have already received psychological help and are sharing the results motivates others to seek out mental health professionals.
"The resistance of 'I can do it myself' and 'I don't need a psychologist' has become much less," says Iryna. "At the same time, there is not always an understanding of how and with what psychologists can help."
Most often, after demobilization, defenders turn to psychologists with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder:
- sleep disturbances,
- intrusive memories,
- disturbing dreams,
- flashbacks,
- increased anxiety and irritability.
A sharp reaction to certain sounds, smells, or situations is another warning sign that it is worth consulting a psychologist.
Iryna Tkach explains: when we experience a traumatic event, our brain forms a so-called neural network of traumatic memory. Then, some kind of trigger—a sound, image, word, or smell—can activate it. The person is overwhelmed by the same whirlwind of emotions, sensations, and experiences they had during the traumatic event.
"If a person ignores their condition and tries to simply avoid triggers—doesn't leave the house, withdraws into themselves—this complicates further socialization and negatively affects relationships with loved ones," the psychologist emphasizes.
Where can you get free psychological help?
Hang in there, no matter how hard it is – a rule that could save your life on the front line. But in civilian life, it often prevents veterans from seeking psychological help.
However, prolonged neglect of one's own need for professional support often leads to exhaustion, problems in communicating with loved ones, or even addiction.
In Ukraine, veterans have the opportunity to receive psychological help free of charge — the only question is whether they are willing to take advantage of it.
Psychological services are provided at the expense of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs is developing a system for providing free psychological assistance to war veterans, members of their families, and families of fallen defenders of Ukraine.
A register of psychological rehabilitation service providers is already operating as part of the project.
This is a list of specialists and institutions in Ukraine that provide psychological assistance to veterans under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs program. All specialists meet the qualification requirements and are licensed to practice medicine. The registry is constantly updated.
To start working with a psychologist, you need to find your city/community, contact the specified contacts, and agree on the format of meetings — remotely (online) or in person.
The cost of psychological support services provided by a specialist will be paid by the state.
You can choose a specialist or institution here: https://mva.gov.ua/veteranam/perelik-subektiv-nadannya-poslug-vkluchenih-do-reestru-subektiv-nadannya-poslug-iz-psihologichnoi-dopomogi-dlya-veteraniv-i-chleniv-ih-simey
You can also contact your war veteran support specialist, the Administrative Services Center, or your doctor to find options for receiving free psychological assistance. Your family doctor or the specialist who is currently treating you may refer you to a psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist, depending on the level of care you need.
Who is eligible for free psychological assistance under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs program?
• veterans;
• military personnel who are being discharged or have been discharged from military service;
• people who have rendered outstanding services to Ukraine and their family members;
• victims of the Revolution of Dignity;
• family members of deceased veterans;
• family members of deceased defenders of Ukraine;
• military personnel and their families (for the period of martial law + 3 months after its end).
For more details, please call: 063 230 23 25.
MARTA: the opportunity to check your psychological state online
MARTA (short for Mental Adaptation and Rehabilitation Tools and Analysis) is an online system for determining your current psychological and emotional state and receiving recommendations on how to improve it or find a suitable specialist.
How does it work?
The website features a personalized questionnaire that will help you understand what is happening to you and provide personalized advice on the next steps.
There are also self-diagnostic tests in various categories: "PTSD," "Grief Reaction," "Alcohol Dependence," etc.
MARTA uses the same diagnostic tools as NATO and the World Health Organization.
The platform does not replace consultation with a mental health specialist, but it provides an opportunity to anonymously and independently check your mental health and receive recommendations for improving it.
There is also a quick call button to the Crisis Center of the Ukrainian Veterans Fund (0 800 33 20 29). The line operates around the clock.
Where else can you get psychological help?
Ukraine offers a range of free psychological support services for veterans. Everyone can choose the format of support that suits them best: from individual consultations to group programs.
- The Veteran Hub community provides psychological counseling. For details, please contact the support line: 067 348 28 68, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- The Coalition of Veteran Spaces brings together 26 veteran organizations from different parts of Ukraine. Mobile teams are already operating in eight regions (Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Chernihiv), including psychologists who provide free services to veterans and their families in remote communities. For details, call: 098 408 26 72.
- Lisova Polyana is a mental health and rehabilitation center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. It is the first medical facility in Ukraine that specializes in the treatment of psychological trauma, the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (post-concussion syndrome), and assistance to individuals who have survived captivity and torture. To request free assistance, call: 050 956 42 27.
- The Ukrainian Veterans Fund's crisis assistance and support hotline at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs for veterans and their family members: 0 800 332 029 (24 hours a day).
- Free Choice NGO – free psychological support for defenders, female defenders, and their family members, call: 063 64 64 991.
- The mobile app "Baza" is a psychological self-help tool for veterans. It contains self-help exercises and useful contacts. The app helps users identify their condition and stabilize themselves. It also allows users to write to a specialist and receive a response. You can download it at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vilniy_vybir&fbclid
- Mental Health Service NGO: a team of psychologists provides free individual trauma therapy services to demobilized persons and family members of military personnel. It is also possible to receive counseling from a family psychologist for couples and families. For details, call: 099 009 9380.
There are many options for receiving free professional psychological support, ranging from hotlines to individual therapy. The main thing is not to remain alone with your problems. Help is available, and it can change your quality of life.
The information campaign "Opportunities for Veterans" is being implemented as part of a partnership between the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Reintegration Program, which is being implemented by IREX with the support of the US State Department.