Psychiatric Services in Sverdlovsk Region Assist WWII Veterans in Transitioning to Peaceful Life
Supporting Military Heroes: A Comprehensive Look at Psychological Aid in the SVO Region
The psychological, psychotherapeutic, and psychiatric assistance provided to military personnel and their families in the SVO (Special Military Operation) region is a fundamental aspect of the regional psychiatric service. These insights are based on generalized practices of military psychiatry and mental health support worldwide.
Chief Psychiatrist Oleg Serdyuk of the Ministry of Health of the Sverdlovsk region noted that crucial tasks include helping SVO participants process traumatic experiences, treating mental health issues if necessary, adapting to new health conditions, and developing skills for positive social interaction and new life prospects. Stressing the importance of family support, Serdyuk emphasized the need to help family members adapt to new living conditions.
The psychiatric assistance provided in the region is multi-leveled and supplementary. The initial level is remote, with emergency psychological aid departments operating around the clock at the “Sosnovyi Bor” branch of the Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital and psychiatric hospital No. 6 in Yekaterinburg. Specialists trained to provide psychological support for SVO participants and their families can be reached 24/7 via the trust line numbers (8 800 300-11-00 and +7 (343) 371-03-03).
By the first five months of 2025, around 100 calls have been received by the emergency aid department. It's recommended that veterans initially contact the trust line, as this may be less daunting given societal stigmas surrounding mental health assistance, allowing for early support and tension relief. Once contacted, psychologists can guide veterans toward further rehabilitation steps.
The next stage for obtaining psychological-psychiatric assistance is to visit an outpatient clinic. This service is available at the psychologist's office at the Ekaterinburg branch of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" fund and in 57 medical-psychological consultation rooms (MPCC) in district polyclinics. Specialists consult participants of the SVO and their family members on issues related to illness, stressful situations, and participate in the initial assistance to patients with stress disorders, including post-traumatic.
By March 31 of this year, 76 SVO participants and 473 members of their families received help in the MPCC. The psychologist of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" fund provided assistance to 510 SVO veterans and 410 members of their families.
The medical level of outpatient assistance includes offices of psychiatrists, psychiatrist-narcologists, psychotherapists, and medical-psychological assistance. Participants of combat actions and their relatives go through this phase if they are found to have mental function disorders. From January 1 to March 31 of this year, doctors in these offices provided assistance to 491 SVO participants and 811 members of their families.
Specialized clinics, such as the SOKPB clinic "Sosnovy Bor," provide in-depth assistance to SVO veterans. The consultation department of the Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital actively engages regional psychiatrists in their work. Self-help groups and other supportive resources can also be found at various locations for SVO veterans and their families.
Placed in a supportive environment, SVO veterans and their families are helping each other heal and move forward, contributing to the wider community. By offering comprehensive mental health support, engaging troops and their families, and reducing stigmas around mental health, we foster resilience, self-confidence, and well-being. From initial psychological aid to higher levels of care, these dedicated efforts promise a brighter future for our heroes.
- In line with the emphasis on mental health support, the health-and-wellness sector is implementing various therapies-and-treatments to aid SVO participants in processing traumatic experiences and adapting to new life prospects, as well as providing assistance for their families.
- The science of mental health plays a significant role in the comprehensive look at psychological aid in the SVO region, with a focus on delivering multi-leveled assistance encompassing remote emergency aid, outpatient clinics, and specialized clinics, ensuring a brighter future for military heroes.
