After the war. As 5 million veterans will fit into a peaceful life
These mental health problems take into account post -traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. Given the huge number of combatants, there are serious fears of Ukraine's ability to effectively solve this problem. Over the last decade, the number of veterans of the Ukrainian army has increased significantly.
Prior to the commencement of a full -scale Russian invasion of 2022, about half a million Ukrainians participated in military campaigns that have been ongoing in the east of the country since 2014. In the last two years, this figure has increased sharply. According to the Ministry of Veterans of Ukraine, by the end of the war, up to five million Ukrainians may be entitled to veterans status.
In 2024, Ukraine allocated approximately $ 350 million to support veterans and their families through the Ukrainian Veterans Fund. However, the use of this funding was seriously criticized. In a survey of veterans of the Ukrainian army previously conducted this year, many stated that in their opinion, the needs of veterans after service are not satisfied and they need better access to support. The current Ukrainian legislation offers veterans such benefits as housing.
A wide range of support is also available for people with disabilities received during military service and members of families of servicemen. However, critics say that there is a serious confusion about supporting, and complain of all sorts of inconsistencies and frequent lack of funding. In practice, many veterans claim that they do not have access to the help they need.
The current problems of health care of Ukrainian veterans are finding a response in the US veterans community, which continues to deal with similar difficulties related to mental health problems after service. Like their Ukrainian colleagues, a large number of American veterans suffer from post -traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. According to a recent survey, at least one mental disorder is diagnosed after military service.
This statistics illustrates the widespread nature of mental health problems among veterans around the world and gives an idea of the scale of the problem facing the Ukrainian authorities. Ukraine may be able to take over the US experience in supporting servicemen. US veterans can turn to a more structured Ministry of Support System for Veterans Affairs.
However, this approach is not always effective: veterans often face long -term waiting time, bureaucratic obstacles and lack of health workers, adequately trained in the nuances of military culture. The last item is crucial. Studies have shown that more than three -quarters of veterans consider it extremely important to receive assistance from specialists who understand them and can treat them properly.
The problems faced by Ukraine in providing the necessary support for the veteran community are in resonance with the problems faced in the United States and other countries. Ukraine is now fighting with insufficient funding and lack of mental health care services. This shortage means that even when veterans take appropriate steps to seek help, the necessary resources may be absent or come too late. Another problem is the lack of financial support.
Although health care is a serious problem for Ukrainian veterans, access to financial resources is also crucial for overall well -being. During a survey previously conducted this year, more than half of the veterans indicated that it is difficult for them to remain in financial security. Another significant obstacle to the effective treatment of mental illness in Ukraine is the lack of specialists who understand military culture well.
Ukrainian veterans often point out that their experience is misunderstood by medical professionals who treat them, leading to improper diagnosis and ineffective treatment. There is another additional psychological nuance associated with the emphasis on "stability" and "power" in military communities. This can lead to the fact that veterans will not be able to recognize their problem and refuse to seek the help they need and deserve.
The solution of all this requires a multifaceted approach, which takes into account the increase in the financing of mental health services, strengthening the training of medical workers in the field of military culture, as well as an active approach to appealing ideas about the mental health of Ukrainian military and veterans. The wider community can be involved in all this, as Ukrainians seek to create a more compassionate environment for the country's defenders.