Impact of Military Conflict on Mental Health: The Story of Chiril and Olga
In the midst of the conflict in Ukraine, the story of Chiril and his mother Olga serves as a testament to the hardships endured by military families during such tense periods. With a family history in the military and an awareness of the pressures of war, their lives underwent a radical transformation this spring.
Olga, a 40-year-old woman, and her 18-year-old son Chiril hail from a military family in Kiev, Ukraine. Given their family’s military background, it was expected that Chiril would follow in the same footsteps. However, the prospect of such a career in times of war deeply affected Chiril, pushing him to the limits of his mental tolerance.
In the spring of this year, Chiril was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown. Panic attacks had become a regular part of his life, and Olga felt compelled to take action. Following a consultation with a specialist, they decided to admit him. Since then, Chiril has been regularly seeing a psychologist and undergoing neuroleptic medication.
In an effort to support her son, Olga made a difficult decision. She chose to leave her home in Kiev and move to Chisinau, Moldova. The motivation behind this move was the realization that her son was now of legal age and could be drafted into the army, which could further exacerbate his fragile mental state.
Upon arriving in Chisinau, Olga sought assistance at the “Safe Space” office at the Central Station, where she received counseling from a psychologist and a lawyer. Here, the family had the opportunity to explore available options for staying in Moldova and receiving protection and support. “Safe Space” provided them with information about services and settlement possibilities in Moldova.
After careful consideration of the situation, the family decided to settle in Moldova. Olga returned home to Kiev to gather necessary belongings, while Chiril remained in Chisinau. Chiril continues his online studies in the field of IT. Olga made this decision to keep her son away from the war, hoping that this calmer environment would aid in his psychological and emotional recovery.
The story of Chiril and Olga is just one example of the profound impact of military conflicts on people’s mental health and lives. In such challenging times, psychological support and resources offered by organizations like UNFPA and AO Homecare through refugee offices like “Safe Space” can make a significant difference for those affected, offering them the opportunity to start a new life in a more stable and secure environment.
This activity was organized by AO Homecare as part of the program “Improving Access to Essential Health and Gender-Based Violence Protection Services for Ukrainian Refugees and Host Communities,” supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Republic of Moldova and funded by the European Union.
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