The war in Ukraine has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers lost and many more returning home with both physical and psychological trauma. This ongoing crisis is profoundly affecting the mental health of Ukrainians, as articulated by Ukrainian clinical psychologist Natalia Sablina in an interview. As the conflict continues into its fourth year, the implications for mental health are becoming increasingly dire.

As severe winter weather returns to Ukraine, temperatures are plummeting to minus 20 degrees Celsius, complicating the humanitarian situation. Many homes are without heat or consistent electricity due to continued Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure. This harsh environment is creating additional stress for civilians coping with the trauma of war, making the need for psychological support and intervention even more critical.

Sablina emphasizes that the psychological burden of the war will not only impact current generations but has the potential to affect future ones as well. As the war draws on, there is a growing concern that the mental health crises stemming from this conflict could spill over into neighboring countries, including Czechia, thus necessitating a broader awareness and proactive measures to address mental health among the affected populations.