First Steps After Evacuation or How East SOS Psychologists Support Evacuees
Evacuation from the frontline hromadas (communities) brings people the feeling of safety for the first time in a long while. Yet the experience of living under constant shelling, the loss of home and constant fear can still cause psychological pain for a long time.
In the city of Pavlohrad East SOS psychologists are always ready to help those who have just arrived at the transit center, fleeing the danger. Offering help to calm their emotional state, our team members are always there to offer support in times when people most need it.
Nadiia, aged 35, had recently evacuated from the city of Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast. Before the full-scale invasion, she worked as a teacher. She lived an active life; she had friends and plans for the future. But after the massive shelling by the russian forces her city was turned into ruins. Not only did Nadiia lose her home, but also the sense of safety and stability.
“When we first met, Nadiia was exhausted. She could barely sleep, suffering from frequent panic attacks, was often in tears and spoke openly about having a feeling as though there was no meaning left in life. In a state like this, the most important thing is helping the person in realizing they are finally safe and slowly helping them regain their footing,” explained Oleksandr Haisonok, a psychologist at East SOS.
The first step was crisis intervention which included breathing techniques, grounding exercises, and working through the body’s physical responses to stress. This allowed Nadiia to gradually regain stability and significantly reduce her constant anxiety.
Next, our psychologist applied the Somatic Experiencing method—an approach that helps the body process and release the deep-seated tension that remains trapped long after traumatic events have passed.
“We worked very cautiously so that Nadiia could regain a sense of her own boundaries, learn to listen to her body’s signals, and reclaim a sense of control over her own state,” the specialist explained.
After several sessions, for the first time in a very long while, she felt a sense of inner peace. The constant tension decreased, a sense of control gradually returned, and eventually, she found more energy for daily tasks. She even returned to painting, her childhood passion she had set aside long ago.
“Painting helped her focus on the here and now. Creativity allows us to process and move through experiences that are simply too difficult to put into words. It is one of the many ways to gradually regain a sense of footing,” the psychologist added.
Today, Nadiia continues her journey toward full recovery. The psychological support from the East SOS team was her first step toward stability after everything she had gone through, helping her regain the sense that life, indeed, continues.
Psychological support is provided as part of the Support for War-Affected Vulnerable Groups and Residents of Remote Areas of Ukraine project, implemented by East SOS with financial support from the European Union.
Read more on our website about how the East SOS team supports displaced persons to integrate in their new hromadas.
