Not all wounds bleed: MSF reports surge in post-traumatic stress disorder in Ukraine

VINNYTSIA, UKRAINE – More than half of Ukraine's population is experiencing a significant deterioration in mental health due to the war. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most prevalent health issues are mental health concerns, affecting 46 per cent of the population, followed by mental health disorders (41 per cent) and neurological conditions (39 per cent).

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) addresses the urgent need for psychological assistance among people affected by the war across various regions of Ukraine, focusing particularly on the most vulnerable groups: those still living near the frontline; individuals who are directly exposed to the war, such as the severely wounded and their family members as well as internally displaced people (IDPs; and people who have lost their families or loved ones.

In Vinnytsia, central Ukraine,Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) runs a psychological support centre dedicated to treating traumatic stress. At the centre, doctors, psychiatrist, psychologists, and health promoters work with people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to the war. To support recovery, the team provides both individual therapy sessions and group creative classes. The Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) team has seen a rise in the number of people seeking help for mental trauma in 2025.

In addition, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams provide evidence-based treatments for war veterans, wounded or demobilized and back to civilian life, relatives and families, as well as for displaced people affected by the ongoing war. The center utilizes therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help patients process traumatic memories and alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“The number of patients receiving active treatment for PTSD at our centre each month increased from 57 in January 2024 to 118 by the end of April 2025,” says Christine Mwongera, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) medical coordinator. “We are witnessing a considerable need for mental health support, particularly among men in Ukraine. The proportion of male patients among newly admitted individuals has grown. Many are veterans — people who lived and worked in conflict areas and now face challenges adapting to a relatively safer environment and rebuilding social connections. We also observe that many patients require systematic, long-term treatment.”

Many men, in particular, feel stigmatised and are reluctant to seek help. Stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier to care in Ukraine — especially for men — and is rooted in long-standing cultural and historical attitudes. It can be particularly difficult for loved ones to support those trying to adapt socially after returning from war-affected areas. Often, people suffering from PTSD believe they can manage on their own, without medical help. This often-invisible illness can severely reduce quality of life and increase risky behavior, turning daily routines into a cycle of trauma, isolation, and physical exhaustion, worsening chronic health conditions.

“I was sitting across from the therapist, and when he asked what was bothering me, I answered honestly: everything, including him,” says 27-year-old war veteran Oleksandr Zelenii. Seriously injured during a double explosion in Luhansk region, he now lives with a traumatic brain injury, sleep disorders, memory loss, and symptoms of PTSD including irritability, lack of motivation, and difficulty with social interactions. “After years of rehabilitation and consistent MSF psychological support, I feel more balanced and calmer. I’ve even applied for a new job, where I can work as a peer supporter — because I believe I’m ready to share my experience and help others on their recovery journey.”