The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has approved a new Procedure for organizing psychological assistance for military personnel. The relevant document was signed by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, as reported by the ministry’s press service.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Involvement of Civilian Specialists in Psychological Support
According to the new procedure, civilian specialists can be involved in providing psychological support to military personnel. This refers to psychologists who are included in the Register of Service Providers for Psychological Assistance to Veterans and their Families, established by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. This decision significantly expands the range of assistance and reduces the burden on military psychologists.
“A key innovation is the possibility of involving civilian psychologists in providing assistance. This concerns specialists listed in the Register of Service Providers for Psychological Assistance to Veterans and their Families of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs,” the ministry states.
Procedure for Providing Assistance and the Role of Commanders
The document regulates the general principles of providing psychological support to military personnel. Its goal is to preserve human resources, stabilize the psycho-emotional state, and restore the psychological resilience of the personnel. The new procedure was developed taking into account the experience of psychological services of the Armed Forces gained during the Russo-Ukrainian War, as well as in accordance with NATO standards.
Psychological assistance will be provided by:
- officials from psychological support units with relevant education;
- specialists from healthcare institutions of the Ministry of Defense and other organizations with appropriate qualifications;
- civilian psychologists who are participants in the state register.
Additionally, initial psychological assistance and mutual aid can be provided by military personnel who have undergone special training. Requests for assistance will be entirely voluntary for military personnel.
The order also stipulates that commanders at all levels must ensure conditions for receiving assistance and make management decisions in case of signs of psychological maladaptation or disorders among the personnel.
According to government resolution No. 1338 dated November 29, 2022, during martial law and for three months after its conclusion, all military personnel who participated in defense activities of Ukraine, as well as their families, can receive psychological assistance.