Today, at the premises of the “VCenter Hub” in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, at the initiative of the Deputy Head of the All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine, Sofia Cherepanova, and with the information support of the “Kyiv Military Hub”, a training entitled “Psychological First Aid Kit: How to Help Yourself and Others in a Crisis” was held, designed to provide participants with basic behavioral skills in times of uncertainty.
The participants were 14 people – native Defenders of Ukraine, as well as military personnel, volunteers, and public activists who work with a large number of war-traumatized people. The speaker was the author of the training, a member of the All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine, and an experienced psychologist, Anna Hrubaya.
Imagine the situations:
– your loved one finds out that a friend has arrived at their house – and can’t speak, just shakes;
– a colleague freezes and does not react during an alarm;
– while waiting in line at the store, a woman feels sick: panic, tears, suffocation;
– a child nearby is screaming and cannot calm down when the air raid siren sounds.
In such moments, it is important not only to remain calm, but also to know how to act.
“This training is a practical guide to psychological self-help and support for people in a state of panic, anxiety, and shock. Today we understood how the brain works under stress, learned effective stabilization techniques, and most importantly, practiced supporting ourselves and others in real scenarios,” Anna comments on the training.
“We plan to hold such events regularly to teach as many people as possible to fight triggers and cope with stress without harming mental health. The training was created taking into account Ukrainian realities and military experience. Without unnecessary terms. Without pathos. Simply - to act confidently when there is a storm around”, The training was created taking into account Ukrainian realities and military experience. Without unnecessary terms. Without pathos. Simply - to act confidently when there is a storm around”, adds Sofia Cherepanova.
