Heal Ukraine Trauma

On March 19, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health launched a public consultation on a resolution that would allow Ukrainian researchers to legally study psychoactive substances such as MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD. This move would enable important research into treatments that are already helping people worldwide with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This also opens the door for psychedelic-assisted therapy in Ukraine — especially for veterans and those living with the trauma of war. We appreciate PAREA, UPRA - Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association, Oleh Orlov, @Iryna Yakovets advocacy to help make this research a reality. Facilitating the latest scientific research is an important step towards modernizing Ukrainian health care.

We are excited to share that Heal Ukraine Trauma (HUT) has joined PAREA as a Community Supporter. PAREA is a European platform that brings together organizations and experts in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. This partnership is an important step as we strive to implement evidence-based approaches to support veterans and those affected by war. Being part of PAREA opens opportunities for knowledge exchange, training, and international collaboration.?

We stand in solidarity with Ukrainians against the unjust, full-scale invasion they have endured with strength and resilience for three years. No matter the length of this war, we will work to meet the overwhelming need for mental health support to provide healing and hope for Ukrainian veterans and their families.?? ? Stand with us today.?? ? #slavaukraini?? #healtrauma?

Three years ago, the world held its breath, watching Ukraine. Many doubted that Ukrainians would stand. But they did. They stood in the face of a threat that seemed insurmountable. They stood when the first rockets fell on their cities. They stand still, even now, when war has become a distant routine for those watching from afar.? This is more than a fight for land. This is a fight for dignity. For the right to exist. For the right to choose one’s future. Politicians may sign agreements, give speeches, and argue over numbers and the delivery of aid. But Ukraine’s support has never depended solely on governments. If there’s one lesson this war has taught us, it’s that true help comes from the hearts of individuals. Three years ago, Ukraine forced the world to look in the mirror and answer a simple question: Which side do you choose? And millions answered: The side of freedom, justice, and humanity. Those who donated for drones and Starlink satellites.? Those who opened their homes to Ukrainian families.? Those who refused to stop talking about this war, even when the headlines shifted to other crises.? And those who understand that help is needed not only for those on the front lines, but also for those who must heal in order to rebuild the future. Because this fight is not just about Ukraine. It is about the kind of world we all want to live in. We have learned to stand together.? Now, we must learn never to step back.?

Our board member Jesse Gould, founder of the Heroic Hearts Project, spoke with Anderson Cooper on 60 MINUTES about the power of psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans with severe PTSD. Learn more about 9 American veterans’ journeys and the ongoing research into this innovative therapy in the segment below. https://lnkd.in/e2KwwHpc

In 2024, HUT launched Ukraine’s first training program in Group Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (G-KAP), an innovative method for treating depression and various trauma-related disorders. Amid the ongoing war, G-KAP is critically important for Ukraine, as it provides essential support for veterans who have experienced severe stress, loss, and combat trauma—especially when other treatment methods have proven ineffective. The group therapy format allows for scaling mental health support beyond the traditional one-on-one model. Additionally, the use of ketamine, which is legally available in Ukraine, makes it possible to implement this effective approach immediately. This also paves the way for future psychedelic-assisted therapy programs, should the legal framework in Ukraine expand to include other therapeutic substances. The first cohort, launched in July last year, provided training and supervised practice for eight Ukrainian psychiatrists and psychotherapists. These professionals now have the capacity to provide psychotherapeutic care for up to 372 veterans in groups of 8 annually. Building on this successful experience, we have now begun the second training cycle, bringing together 16 more specialists from various regions of Ukraine. Our goal is to train an additional 48 therapists by 2026, equipping them to provide high-quality psychological support to thousands of veterans, establish a resilient mental health system, and strengthen Ukraine’s therapeutic community.

We met colleagues from the M. Yarmachenko Institute of Special Pedagogy and Psychology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine to discuss our collaboration to adapt the Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) program for children with disabilities in Ukraine. Around 700,000 children with disabilities in Ukraine — and more than 40 million children with disabilities worldwide — live in war zones. Children with disabilities are particularly affected by the war, and even before the conflict in Ukraine, they often did not receive sufficient levels of care and inclusion. While the current TRT manual does not include specific guidance for children with disabilities, our collaboration will enable us to expand the TRT program to reach more children who need it. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eWnSPykP

Ihor Kholodylo, a combat medic in the Ukrainian military, grappled with PTSD for a long time after a serious injury, including losing his ability to speak. When conventional therapies were unsuccessful, he turned to psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with ketamine, which helped him not only restore his speech but also significantly alleviate other symptoms of his injury. The Kyiv Post featured Ihor's moving story this week in an article about the prospects of using psychedelics, especially ketamine, to treat severe PTSD among the Ukrainian military. HUT's pilot program training Ukrainian therapists on the use of PAT was also featured as we work to implement broader access to novel mental health therapies in Ukraine. We aim to expand the program eightfold in 2025 to reach more veterans who need support. https://lnkd.in/dV_f_P56

“Standing in Sophia Square on a warm September day in Kyiv, I looked around at more than 300 portraits of fallen soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine honored in the “Warriors of Light” exhibition,” Amy Goodrich writes in our latest blog. “As a veteran, military spouse, and mother, it felt deeply personal. We were surrounded by hundreds of faces — men and women who had given their lives defending Ukraine. As families searched for their loved ones' images, leaving flowers, toys, and photos by the portraits, we were reminded of the immense grief and loss that Ukraine continues to endure amid the ongoing war. Our visit took place on the eve of Ukraine's Defender's Day, and we came with the awareness of the critical and urgent need to support the mental health of Ukrainians, especially veterans and their families.” Read more https://surl.li/rhrvct

This October 1st, Ukraine celebrates Defender’s Day, a national holiday dedicated to honoring those who have courageously defended the country’s independence. Today, and every day, HUT pays tribute to the brave men and women serving Ukraine, as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Slava Ukraini!