Workshop-Lecture “Mental Health During War: Discussing Challenges and Support Strategies”
On May 13, 2025, an online workshop-lecture titled “Mental Health During War” was held at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University. The event was organized within the framework of the national mental health program “How Are You?”, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
The speaker of the event was Professor Yurii Mysula — psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and professor of the Department of Psychiatry, Narcology, and Medical Psychology at TNMU. Over 100 participants from various regions of Ukraine joined the lecture, including medical students, family doctors, general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychotherapists.
Main topics covered:
- Mechanisms and physiology of stress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): causes, symptoms, consequences
- Traumatic memory and its impact on mental health
- Adaptation strategies during wartime
- Common clinical errors in working with PTSD
- Practical self-regulation techniques: breathing exercises, relaxation, mindfulness
The event was held in a discussion format, with active participant involvement in analyzing clinical cases. All attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and receive professional responses from the speaker.
Professor Mysula emphasized the importance of early recognition of PTSD symptoms and the integration of self-regulation practices into the daily routines of both healthcare providers and patients. Special attention was given to typical mistakes in clinical practice when treating PTSD and ways to avoid them.
The workshop-lecture was a valuable contribution to raising awareness within the medical community about the psychological consequences of war and strategies for coping. Participants gained practical tools for supporting mental health in wartime conditions.
