Psychological help during the war: where to get a free consultation?

Serhiy Slychko, the head of the “Nova Peremoha” NGO, talked about psychological support hotlines operating in Ukraine, and some other possibilities to get free psychological consultations for Ukrainians affected by the war.

According to the Ministry of Health, about 60% of Ukrainians need psychological help because of the war. Obviously, not all of these people have the opportunity to contact a private psychologist and receive a timely consultation. Thankfully there are numerous volunteer organizations providing psychological help free of charge.

“I know what it feels like to be a person forced to flee from war. In 2014 I had to take my family and flee Donetsk, where we were living. This is an extremely stressful situation even for a tough, resilient person. Today, an immense number of Ukrainians need psychological aid to prevent the development of further mental illnesses. Let me share with you several organizations that provide such assistance free of charge,” Serhiy Slychko said.

The first important resource is a National Psychological Association hotline, where specialists provide mental health support for people in conditions of prolonged stress and emotional strain caused by the war. The hotline is available at 0-800-100-102.

There is also a hotline created by the Lifeline Ukraine organization. This is an all-Ukrainian line, which primarily provides crisis psychological assistance to veterans and their family members, as well as to all other citizens. You can get help 24 hours a day by calling 7333.

You can also get help through remote consultations provided by the “La Strada – Ukraine” organization. It works to prevent domestic violence and human trafficking. Separate support is provided to children, teenagers and students in difficult life situations. Adults can consult with a psychologist, lawyer, or social worker about problems affecting children. Support is available on the hotline at 0 800 500 335. For issues related to children and young people, there is a separate line at 0 800 500 225.

“Remember, even the strongest people need support sometimes, men too. You should not perceive a call to a psychologist as a weakness. If you feel anxiety, panic attacks, have problems with sleep or appetite, be sure to ask for help. In these dire times we need to support each other. Believe me, it helps a lot,” emphasized the head of the “Nova Peremoha” NGO.
You can get more useful information on Serhiy Slychko’s “Nova Peremoha” channel. You can find links to other resources that provide free counseling in the description of our Psychological Support video.