Battling Trauma in Besieged Ukraine: Providing Mental Health Support During War
[Estimated reading time: 2 minutes]
While the war in Ukraine continues, TWR is meeting the traumatized and affected with programming designed to provide trauma support.
The war between Ukraine and Russia has inflicted a devastating toll, leaving many suffering from trauma. TWR is committed to providing practical support to those in need and preparing to help individuals facing ongoing trauma in the years ahead. It is estimated that well over a million people on both sides of the conflict have lost their lives, while it is believed that 2,500 children in Ukraine alone have been killed.
TWR was quick to recognize the need for trauma support. At the beginning of the war, the ministry translated a book by an American trauma specialist and printed 2,000 copies for distribution across Ukraine. This has enabled therapists and churches to help those who have been affected. But now we want to do more.
TWR’s Jan Benson, who has been helping the team on the ground in Ukraine, believes that with the necessary funding the message of Christ can go out through the ambitious plans for work with those have been traumatized.
“The plan is to build a school prepared with lessons for everyone interested in helping traumatised people – for those returning from the frontline, families who are at breaking point and for those who will be suffering the legacy of this war,” Benson says.
“We will partner and work with teachers and trauma specialists from Ukraine, Russia and Germany so we have a very effective program ... The plan would be to have this not just in one place but also distributed online. Of course, a big project like this will require a lot of funding, and we will be praying for donors.”
As the battle rages on, TWR’s team continues their great work under difficult circumstances, including the constant challenge of power outages and internet problems. But they continue to deliver online content as well as providing radios to Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines. The message of Christ continues to illuminate lives in the darkest of conflicts.
