The mobile medical team of the "Light of Hope" NGO works in the Balakliya community of the Kharkiv region, whose residents lived under occupation for six months. The psychological team is approached by locals who are haunted by memories of that terrible period.
During a reception in one of the villages, a woman asked for help with an anxiety condition that she still can’t get rid of.
Marina (name changed) had to spend several weeks in a cold and damp cellar with her parents and one and a half year old daughter. Everyone was sick. Later, the woman and the child were evacuated. The parents stayed. Unfortunately, the father died.
"My mother also gave up a lot, so to speak, after what she experienced. After the liberation of the village, my daughter and I returned home. But I am in constant anxiety. The combat zone is located relatively close. I shudder at any loud noise. And when they attack the community, it becomes really bad. It's like I'm returning to the days when we were sitting in the cellar. I'm very afraid for my family," Marina shared her experiences.
Psychologist Olga Dub told the woman about exercises she can do at home to ease her condition. In particular, square or abdominal breathing saturates the body with oxygen, reduces stress, stabilizes heartbeat and physical tension.
At the next appointment, Marina reported that the exercises were helping her. The work with the specialist continues. Thanks to the support of the German Government and the EU, mobile teams are working in those frontline areas where people are in dire need of comprehensive support for physical and mental health.
The project is implemented by the Light of Hope NGO within the EMPOWER project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union, and implemented by GIZ Ukraine.
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