The Mental Health Crisis Facing Ukraine's Soldiers

KYIV, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 11: Viktor, a 28-year-old Ukrainian soldier from the 24th Brigade and suffering from severe mental trauma, walks down a hallway at a psychiatric hospital on October 11, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Viktor, suffered a leg injury and multiple heavy concussions when the infantry fighting vehicle group he commanded came under fire, his wife and two children have been living abroad since the start of the war but they are currently in the process of getting divorced. As the war in Ukraine surpasses its 20th month the hidden cost of war has surged with increased cases of severe mental trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among soldiers. With infrequent rotations away from the front line, soldiers are forced to spend extended periods of time under extreme conditions. Soldiers report battlefield trauma symptoms of panic attacks, insomnia, night terrors, headaches, flashbacks, increased aggression, withdrawal and speech loss, in the psychiatric hospital which opened in 1959 treating WW2 veterans and has a forty-bed capacity, staff have made the space to be as homely as possible, there are seven fish tanks, cages of pet rats and hamsters, painting tools, chess boards, books, and a small gym room. Soldiers normally stay a standard 21-day treatment cycle that involves, physical therapy, medication, and psychological treatment, after which they undergo an evaluation that will decide if they are fit to return to the frontlines or if their condition requires advanced treatment, retirement or even discharge, the treatment process is long and in some cases can take years and many soldiers and medical staff say the country is not prepared for the volume of psychiatric casualties and the level of therapy and rehabilitation these soldiers will need as the war continues. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)