In modern Ukraine, people’s mental health has been hit by a series of dramatic events. The war made large-scale adjustments in all aspects of people’s lives: from daily household routine to deep existential experiences. Constant stress, uncertainty of the future, loss of loved ones and homes, household problems — all this creates an unprecedented burden on the psyche. Combined with global challenges such as economic crises and pandemics, war becomes a catastrophic factor in destroying a nation’s mental health. An invisible enemy is added to this “cocktail” – emotional exhaustion from the Internet and social networks. Each scroll is not just information, but small doses of anxiety, anger or envy, which we, without realizing it, absorb into ourselves like a sponge. This toxic rhythm, in which everyone becomes a victim not only of external circumstances, but also of their own expectations and imposed standards, simply cannot but affect the mental state of people.
The state of mental health of people
Today, there is a disappointing trend towards a significant deterioration in the mental health of people all over the world. According to WHO and International Labor Organization experts, mental health problems have already caused damage to the world economy in the amount of USD 1 trillion and 12 billion working days are lost annually. This chain reaction has started since the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the number of people with depression increase by 25% from 2020 to 2021.
The full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine in February 2022 invaded the lives of Ukrainians, destroying their usual life, mercilessly breaking their physical and mental state. By data the survey “Why people avoid psychological help: barriers and stereotypes” conducted by the sociological service “Rating” found that:
- experienced the death of loved ones – 31% of Ukrainians;
- suffer from separation from relatives – two thirds of residents;
- half of Ukrainians suffer from shelling;
- is in a state of excessive stress – 6%.
Experts note that now people are increasingly turning to psychiatrists rather than psychologists. In the Center of Clinical Psychology, 60% of requests to the doctor and to receive drugs were recorded. This testifies to the fact that people are no longer ashamed to seek the help of a psychiatrist, and it also indicates that they are no longer able to cope with the workload on their own.
If you study the geography of mental health complaints, they are most concentrated where the war is felt especially acutely. These are Kherson (79%), Zaporizhzhia (77%), Kharkiv (74%) regions. Accordingly, Zhytomyr (27.6%) and Lviv (28%) regions have the fewest problems with mental health.
For by the results According to a survey conducted by the Razumkov Center in 2024, the psychological state of 55.8% of Ukrainians worsened. And only 33.6% said that it has not changed, and 2.9% even found some improvement.
56.8% of Ukrainians indicated that the deterioration of the mental state was influenced by general fatigue from the stresses caused by military actions in the country. The deterioration of the emotional state was distributed as follows:
- in the southern regions -71.2%;
- in the eastern regions – 64.7%;
- in the western regions – 54.6%;
- in the central regions – 48.5%.
The uncertainty in the situation of Ukrainians during these terrible years of ongoing war has left its mark, causing anxiety. Experts explain that long-term anxiety can disrupt the nervous system. In general, anxiety is a protective mechanism of the body that helps to act in extreme situations. But when anxiety constantly hangs over a person, the body simply gets exhausted and stops responding. Then comes the time for subdepression, or apathy. As a result, more and more Ukrainians simply ignore the air alert and do not go to shelters. And this is the first alarm signal for the psyche.
We live in a world where anxiety has become a constant background. Work that has no end, social networks that press with perfect pictures, and a reality in which war breaks plans for tomorrow. It is difficult not to lose yourself in this endless circle, because even a short stop seems like a defeat.
Psychiatrists claim that completely mentally healthy people simply do not exist. And this is not a deviation from the norm. In today’s world, health should be perceived not as the absence of disease, but as mental, physical and social well-being. After all, it is obvious that being in a state of such well-being, a person is able to be productive and fully realize his potential. Mental disorders should not be perceived as diseases, but as signs that characterize us. It is because of the labels that society likes to impose that people are more afraid to admit the problem and get a diagnosis than to use help in these conditions.
Factors of constant stress
Each of our days begins with an anxious look at the phone: the news feed, notifications, another scroll to infinity. And here we are not even talking about global tragedies or another wave of political scandals. Everything is easier and more painful. Someone complained about life, someone wrote an aggressive comment, someone displayed their successes that make you feel worthless.
Social networks have long become a territory where information sticks to you like dirt, even if you try to avoid it. Every news or thought leaves a mark. And at the same time, it turns into a heavy emotional burden that you carry inside yourself and don’t even notice how exhausting it is. Stress from real life mixes with negativity from social networks, and now you don’t understand what exhausts you more – overload at work or another post by someone else with passive aggression. And it’s a vicious circle: you’re tired, so you turn on the feed to sort of distract yourself, but as a result, you get even more tired and irritated. Social networks have a very depressing influence: you have to look better, achieve more, be successful even in times of crisis. If earlier we had time for rest and reflection, now an hour without fasting or reaction is considered almost a missed opportunity.
But our news feed is not only the achievements of others, but also daily reports of shelling, losses, destruction. War brings fear and uncertainty into our lives. We try to live on, work, communicate, but the brain is constantly stressed, because danger is nearby, even if we are physically far away. It is this constant stress that weakens our body. We lose the ability to be happy about small things, become indifferent or, on the contrary, explode with emotions on the same place. It seems that there is no escape from this, because the war touches everyone, even if not directly, then through the news, stories of loved ones or volunteering.
In today’s world, work has long ceased to end at 6:00 p.m. Thanks to gadgets, we are always “in touch”, and tasks do not disappear even on weekends. Such constant availability creates the illusion that you have to be productive all the time. But a person cannot work like a machine without a break. The lack of clear boundaries between work and personal time becomes another cause of burnout.
Society imposes a rhythm on us in which stopping is perceived as weakness. But it is not so. Sometimes, to regain strength, you need to exit the news feed, put the phone on silent mode and just be present in the moment. Mental health is not a luxury, but a necessity that should be taken care of every day.
Attitudes to the preservation of mental health in foreign countries
In many foreign countries, mental health problems have become a priority in health care systems. Developed countries are investing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders using a systemic approach.
Yes, there is a wide network of psychotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists working in the USA. Many insurance companies cover the cost of consultations. So-called online therapy is widely used in the country. Platforms like BetterHelp or Talkspace allow you to get help online, which is especially important for those who live in remote areas or are too shy to reach out in person. They are also engaged in educational activities in the field of mental health in the USA. A number of measures have been introduced, such as the Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, aimed at overcoming the stigma surrounding mental disorders.
In Sweden, psychiatric treatment is included in the general health insurance system, so patients receive the necessary care free of charge or for a nominal fee. Stress management trainings are conducted in schools and at work, and a comfortable environment is created to avoid emotional burnout. Support groups for people with depression or anxiety disorders are popular in the country.
In Japan, large corporations provide employees with free counseling with psychologists and also offer relaxation programs. Traditional methods of stress relief, such as meditation, walks in the woods and art, are very popular in the country. After natural disasters or social upheavals, the Japanese government engages crisis psychologists to help the population.
In Germany, stereotypes about mental disorders were destroyed a long time ago. Patients are not shamed for turning to specialists, and society actively supports openness in this matter. People with depression or burnout can receive help in special clinics, where they stay during the day and spend the evenings at home. Cognitive behavioral therapy has become very popular. This is one of the treatments that is covered by insurance.
Canada has a developed system of hotlines for people in crisis situations. Help is available confidentially and free of charge. Doctors and psychologists create individual programs for each patient, taking into account not only medical, but also social factors. Many companies offer employees paid days off for mental rest.
The Headspace platform is actively used in Australia. This is a government program offering free online psychological help and support to young people. In small towns, there are public organizations that conduct seminars and consultations. At each level of the health care system, the impact of the mental state on the physical health of the patient is taken into account.
Ukraine should take advantage of the experience of foreign countries in approaches to preserving the mental health of the population, because continuing to ignore this factor in the conditions in which the country is currently surviving is extremely harmful to society.
We live in a world where priorities have shifted: productivity has become more important than emotional well-being, and the pursuit of visible success has become more important than inner peace. Maintaining mental health can no longer be a matter of “when is the time” – it must become a key element of our daily lives. Learning to hear yourself, to feel your own limits, to give space to emotions is not a weakness, but the most valuable act of strength and self-love.
stop Put the phone down. Look around. Feel the moment here and now. Because our life is not an endless list of tasks, but those small but real moments that we can live only with a clear mind and a healthy soul.
