MSF AU | The mental health toll of Russia’s war in Ukraine

After more than four long years of war in Ukraine, millions of people have been exposed to repeated traumatic events, prolonged uncertainty, displacement, bereavement, and chronic stress. This is having a serious psychological impact on people of all ages, but it is often less visible than the physical consequences of conflict.

MSF remains dedicated to helping people heal both their mental and physical health, including by offering psychological sessions in a custom designed mental health centre in Vinnytsia in central Ukraine. Our Vinnytsia team provides evidence-based treatments for war veterans, their families, internally displaced persons, children, and their parents.

This equips them with techniques to help reduce and prevent worsening of symptoms, increase coping skills, improve interpersonal functionality, and decrease consequences of traumatic stress.

Since the centre opened in September 2023, more than 1,800 patients have completed their treatment. 

“Casual chats amongst colleagues... it’s a kind of psychological relief. We really enjoy it; events like this go down really well.”

- Andrii Palianytsia, MSF psychotherapeutic event participant

Unfortunately, despite growing mental health needs, psychological support remains stigmatised for many Ukrainians. Perceptions inherited from the Soviet era often associate psychiatry with coercion or institutionalisation, making many people reluctant to seek help.

Attacks by Russian forces - whether targeted or indiscriminate – are occurring every day. They are striking residential buildings, medical facilities, and warehouses for pharmaceuticals, food, and other consumer goods – even though this is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. MSF condemns these attacks on civilian infrastructure and residential areas.

“It’s very draining... People are trying to carry on with their work, but this sense of exhaustion is very noticeable, and people are getting more and more tired... Patients tell us that their families are experiencing significant levels of stress. School and kindergarten activities are disrupted during alerts, while parents worry about their children and their safety.”

- Lesia Martseniuk, MSF mental health supervisor

In July, MSF released the report, No Safe Place to Heal, documenting relentless attacks on healthcare and medical personnel in Ukraine. The findings show these attacks constitute a deliberate strategy to destroy the medical system and collectively punish people - rather than being an incidental product of Russia's invasion.

Please support our work today so we can continue to support the people of Ukraine, and those in the more than 70 other countries around the world where we work.