Two years of living under constant threat deplete the adaptive resources of the human psyche, turning acute stress into a chronic condition.
February 2024 marks not only the chronological milestone of two years of full-scale invasion but also profound, structural changes in the mental health of Ukrainians. The initial shock and maximum mobilization of the body, which helped the civilian population survive the first months of escalation, have gradually but inevitably transformed into a state of chronic exhaustion. Living to the sound of air raid sirens, regular news about the destruction of civilian infrastructure, forced relocations, and prolonged separation from loved ones form a dense backdrop against which anxiety disorders, depressive episodes, and severe sleep disturbances are developing en masse.
According to experts from international humanitarian organizations, a significant portion of the country's population is experiencing the direct consequences of psychological trauma to one degree or another. This does not always manifest as clinical post-traumatic stress disorder. Much more often, psychologists record general emotional burnout, a loss of the sense of basic safety, and the inability to plan for the future even a few weeks ahead. Civilians are getting used to functioning in a mode of constant anticipation of the worst-case scenario. Such hypervigilance exhausts the central nervous system, imperceptibly destroying psychological and physical well-being, which later manifests in the form of complex psychosomatic illnesses.
Prolonged uncertainty is becoming one of the hardest trials for people. The lack of clear horizons for the end of hostilities and an understanding of what tomorrow will bring deprives them of a foothold. Under such conditions, the daily routine, which previously served as an effective stabilization mechanism, often loses its meaning, giving way to deep apathy or uncontrolled outbursts of irritation.
Psychological trauma on the scale of an entire society does not disappear on its own over time—it requires systemic and careful work to restore lost footholds.Yellow-Blue Editorial Team
The Burden of Forced Changes and Social Isolation
Displaced Families
The loss of a home, the severing of established social ties, and a sharp change in familiar status are accompanied by a deep identity crisis. The need to start life from scratch in new communities often leads to the emotional exhaustion of the entire family.
The Elderly
The least mobile category of citizens, who face total isolation after the departure of the youth. The destruction of their familiar environment exacerbates feelings of abandonment, which rapidly deteriorates their overall health.
The consequences of experienced stress have a pronounced cumulative effect and impact different demographic groups in various ways. In the families of internally displaced persons, there is an extremely high level of hidden tension. It is caused not only by domestic unsettledness but also by constant fear for their children's future. The children themselves are extremely sensitive to reading the anxiety of adults, even if they try to hide it. This non-verbalized tension often translates into behavioral disorders, difficulties with concentration during studies, nightmares, and social withdrawal. Adults, meanwhile, being in survival mode, tend to ignore their own emotional needs. All their efforts are directed towards finding a job, renting housing, and providing for the basic needs of the family, while caring for their own well-being is postponed to an indefinite future.
A separate complex problem is survivor's guilt, which is inherent in a huge number of civilians who managed to evacuate to relatively safe regions. They often devalue their traumatic experience, denying themselves the right to fatigue, sadness, or the need for support, arguing that others have it much worse. Such systematic suppression of emotions only preserves the trauma, leads to internal alienation, and significantly complicates the subsequent rehabilitation process. A person is left alone with their feelings, not daring to ask for help.
Seeking help from specialists still faces serious internal barriers and social stereotypes. In many communities, especially in small towns and villages, the culture of mental health care is only just beginning to form. Classic clinical formats of individual therapy often prove inaccessible or incomprehensible to local residents. That is why the concept of socio-psychological support directly at the community level is coming to the forefront. This involves creating spaces where people can gather together, share their experiences without fear of judgment, and step by step restore their lost sense of belonging to society.
Returning to a fulfilling life requires a systemic approach on the ground. Social rehabilitation requires the involvement not only of professional psychologists but also of social workers and community initiatives. It is important to form an environment that does not re-traumatize, but rather promotes healing through acceptance, mutual respect, and joint activities. Overcoming the consequences of mass psychological trauma is one of the main challenges for Ukrainian society, and this work requires daily effort.
As part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program, the Yellow-Blue Foundation is actively working with the problem of psychological trauma among the population. Assistance is provided through a network of social hubs—safe centers in communities. There, civilians affected by the war, including displaced families and the elderly, can receive professional psychological support, join mutual aid groups, and undergo a process of gentle social adaptation.