Psychologist on Ukrainians' mental state in year four of war

He shared this on Espreso TV.  

"Almost all population groups are below the unhealthy threshold. On average, we all feel very bad. Surprisingly, the military is doing the best. This is because, in extreme frontline conditions, certain defense mechanisms kick in, and the psyche postpones processing complex emotions and traumatic events. That’s why PTSD often develops about six months after traumatic events—when the mind starts to process what was suppressed on the front. So, while the military appears to be doing better, it’s an illusion," he explained.  

At the same time, Pylyp Dukhliy noted that civilian men are in the worst psychological state, especially after the adoption of changes to the mobilization law.  

"Civilian men are struggling the most. This trend started when the mobilization law was amended, and since then, their psychological state has been declining. Civilian women remain at a consistently poor level, while the mental state of Ukrainians who moved abroad has begun to improve. Those who were in severe distress either left and returned or managed to adapt, leading to an improvement in their condition," the psychologist added.  

The survey included around 3,000 respondents.

• As of October 2024, 68% of Ukrainians reported a decline in their health compared to the pre-war period.