Summary of review workshops on psychosocial support for military personnel, veterans, survivors of captivity and torture, and families experiencing an uncertain loss

In September, the Department of Psychology facilitated a series of review workshops on psychosocial support for military personnel, veterans, survivors of captivity and torture, and families experiencing an uncertain loss, led by Kateryna Rakityanska, a crisis psychologist at the Center for Assistance to Survivors, a Gestalt therapist, family, group, and art psychotherapist.

The workshops were held from September 14 to 19.

During the classes, participants:

• formed a portrait of a veteran: his psychological, behavioral, physical, and social characteristics and the consequences of combat experience
• learned possibilities of psychosocial assistance to veterans in adapting to civilian life
• discussed options for referrals for qualified assistance according to the needs of veterans
• in teamwork, determined how to provide first psychological assistance to military personnel and help formulate a request for assistance according to the type of behavioral reaction
• identified the psychosocial characteristics of military families, determined what needs they have that are unmet, and formed the basic principles of treating loved ones who have returned from the front
• studied the behavioral paradoxes that appear in civilians who have survived captivity and torture, and how to behave as professionals in helping professions if such features manifest themselves in everyday life and when seeking help;
• studied the basic needs and changes (psychological, social, behavioral) that occur in families whose loved ones have gone missing

The workshops were attended by 53 participants, the vast majority of whom were students of various full-time and part-time courses of the OPP «Psychology» (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees), students entering the master’s program this year, psychologists from partner organizations (in particular, military psychologists).

Each participant will receive a certificate of participation from Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University within two weeks.

We thank the host of the review workshop, Kateryna Rakityanska, for her useful initiative and interesting professional activities, and for fruitful many years of professional cooperation! And also a sincere thank you to all the participants!