Author:
Mariia Kucova
Maryna Fatieieva lives in Chernihiv, a city under constant threat from Russian shelling, and awaits her husband's return from the frontlines. Nonetheless, she finds the resilience to assist families with children, working as a psychologist at the local center of the "Voices of Children" Foundation.
The woman was the latest guest on the "Voice's Podcast", making a special trip to Kyiv for the occasion. The day before the episode was recorded, on April 17th, her hometown suffered yet another missile strike.
The Impact of Constant Shelling on Children in Chernihiv
Lately, Russian military forces have intensified shelling in Chernihiv and the surrounding region. Additionally, the region faces further threat of renewed offensive due to its proximity to Russia and Belarus.
All of this takes a toll on people's mental health, particularly children who are forced to study under such circumstances. However, after the attack on April 17th, students resumed their classes.
The impact of war varies from person to person; for some, its effects are glaringly obvious, while for others, they may be subtle and easily overlooked. Some may not outwardly display any signs of stress, yet through conversation, it becomes evident that they are deeply affected. For instance, teenagers often feel fearful about their future plans and can feel disoriented. Moreover, they harbor considerable anger towards the aggressor nation, which is completely understandable.
Every second teenager now has anxiety-depressive disorder. These are the realities of our lives,
stated Maryna.
stated Maryna.
Allowing Oneself and Others to Experience Emotions Is Vital
In the aftermath of a traumatic event like a missile strike, it is crucial to acknowledge and express emotions. Shouting, crying, letting it all out — these are healthy ways to cope. Additionally, stress-relief toys, especially ones you can squeeze, can be surprisingly effective tools for managing anxiety.
Parents should not conceal their feelings either, because children can still sense them through non-verbal cues or emotional communication (limbic speech).
A mother can say a thousand times that everything is fine with her, that she's in a good mood, that nothing happened to her, but the child will read through it all. It's not magic, it's psychology,
Maryna explained.
Maryna explained.
How Do Chernihiv Residents Feel about Getting Psychological Help
Residents of Chernihiv and the surrounding region still remain skeptical of psychologists and psychological support. However, there are noticeable changes among the younger generation.
Among teenagers, there's a growing trend of seeking support from psychologists. They're intrigued by the idea of self-improvement, striving to refine themselves or navigate through their feelings,
Maryna remarked.
Maryna remarked.
The primary concern of parents who finally muster the courage to consult a psychologist revolves around their relationships with their children. In the midst of war, the typical behavioral strategy no longer applies, and a new one has yet to take shape due to a lack of certain knowledge and understanding of what is unfolding.
Maryna listed the red flags that indicate a child needs to see a psychologist:
- changes in their behavior or emotional state;
- changes in their environment;
- loss of interest in favorite activities;
- anxiety, depressive state;
- self-harm.
How the Chernihiv Center of the Foundation Supports Families with Children
Similar to the other 14 Centers of the Foundation, the one in Chernihiv offers psychological support to children and parents in both individual and group sessions. In addition, the team organizes a variety of workshops aimed at providing emotional relief. In times of emergency, the Chernihiv Сenter also provides humanitarian assistance to certain groups of people.
A mobile psychological team based at the Сenter travels to remote communities in the region four times a week. Their most common destination is the military town of Desna, which is often subjected to heavy rocket fire. There, they offer stress resilience classes for children and trauma awareness trainings for teachers, enabling them to promptly refer students to a psychologist when needed.
When we arrive, the kids are thrilled. The teachers are happy too because we teach the kids to express their feelings,
Maryna shared.
Maryna shared.
You can learn more about the activities of the Chernihiv Center by checking out its Telegram channel.
Share: