Through Nataliia’s Eyes: Resilience and Recovery in War

On the fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict, Natalia describes the current situation for ordinary people displaced from their homes on the frontline, who are now living in new areas which are still far from safe, with unexploded ordnances and other dangers. She says they are exhausted and discouraged. But there are positives. During the four years of conflict, HI has supported 5,300 people with physical rehabilitation. But more than double that number - 11,400 - have been assisted with vital psychological counselling and mental health support. Here Nataliia shares uplifting stories of Ukrainians who have been supported by HI and her three messages of hope. 

People are exhausted and depressed

People experience war dynamics. In 2022, it was shocking and intense anxiety; now we observe exhaustion and depression. Daily losses have become overwhelming, and it is increasingly difficult for people to find new meanings in life. 

When hopes of returning to normal life are not fulfilled for one, two, or three years, deep discouragement sets in - especially here, where the front line is close and any sense of future stability seems hopeless. 

For those who have been displaced multiple times, the situation is extremely difficult. The basic feeling of home they try to reclaim is constantly under threat. Attempts at adaptation and social integration in a new place often face numerous obstacles - social, economic, and behavioral – people feel stigmatized and fear rejection from locals.  In our work, we strive to help people find their inner resources, to nurture flexibility and resilience. 

We do this through our psychological assistance project – where we offer five one-to-one emergency sessions, at times of critical stress, for survivors. We help people remember their own capabilities and find the strength to continue living after severe losses. Skills such as self-soothing and emotional self-regulation can enable people to get through a difficult period. The main thing we focus on with them is that, despite the destruction of material possessions, their skills and knowledge remain intact. Emphasizing past successes and abilities can help people cope with what’s happening day by day. What’s tricky is acknowledging that grieving and living in the present must coexist. 

When all of this is compounded by injury or disability, as so many of the people we support are, the task becomes far more challenging. For those who have suffered amputations or severe physical impairments, accepting their new state is profoundly painful - it breaks them. This is why it remains critically important to provide comprehensive support to survivors, not only physical rehabilitation but also mental health assistance and access to social workers. So far, we have enabled 5,300 psychological sessions, helping 11, 400 people. Our social workers teach them how to access public transport, healthcare, hospitals, shops, etc., and help them settle into their new homes with respect and dignity, signposting where to find financial and legal assistance through HI’s partners. 

Fortunately, we already see many positive results from our work, and we are committed to continuing to help. I have written down my three reasons to be hopeful to encourage other people on our team and to boost the spirits of other therapists working in Ukraine, where the need is so great. 

My three reasons to be hopeful

One, even in exhaustion, people discover inner strength when supported with care and compassion.

I met a woman who had been displaced twice. She was confused and unstable emotionally, with disturbed sleep. Her husband had multiple strokes; they believed it was due to stress. She had no sense of home. She sought my help as she could not cope by herself, and we built up step-by-step: learning how to recognize and manage emotions; learning self-care daily, with breathing and relaxation techniques before sleep; reminding her of her skills and knowledge, to rebuild inner strength; keeping a diary of small successes every day. 

The woman followed all my recommendations, and soon she started to set up her new house, making it comfortable at last. The feeling of home is gradually being recovered. 

Two, comprehensive support helps survivors rebuild resilience and reclaim hope for the future. 

A middle-aged married couple with no family was displaced and living in a shelter. Their house was destroyed, and the husband, a pensioner, had a leg injury after shelling. They left home with few possessions. The woman had lost her job, her husband had a stroke with the stress of it all and now has a speech problem. 

It was difficult for them to adapt to their new place in a small town in our region, and they rarely go outside. From HI, they received cash support, an assistive device to help the man walk, and support from a physiotherapist. 

I had different goals for each: for the husband, I wanted him to adapt to his new physical condition and housing; for the wife, I aimed to work with her inner resources and emotions, and to support her with adaptations in a new workplace and social environment. As a result, this couple felt much better, made new acquaintances, and started setting up their room in the shelter. 

Three, every step in recovery shows that resilience can grow even after immense loss. 

A woman was evacuated from Russian-held territory to her sister in Ukraine. The woman had multiple strokes, and her two sons had passed away. Initially, despite the danger, she wanted to return to her village, as her sons were buried on the other side of the frontline, even though almost all residents of that village have been evacuated. To me, it indicated most likely the unfinished process of grieving. 

She was distressed because most daily activities became impossible to do without a caregiver. Psychological support was focused on supporting her to live through the grieving process and to find what was possible within her physical and mental capabilities. Her caregiver received advice on how to support her, too. In a month and a half of working with me, she felt better emotionally, is more independent, and has started living more in the present. 

It was a breakthrough when she agreed to stay in safer territory by creating a memory ritual for her sons, which she performs daily and on special occasions. 

Together, HI staff nurture hope and resilience in the face of all these challenges. We are motivated by supporting people, and seeing the results helps us move forward. My hope and wish are to continue providing and expanding this vital support in frontline communities, where the need is greatest.  Psychological support is not optional; it is an essential part of health care. 

Together, we can ensure that people affected by war and crisis have the chance to live full and independent lives.