The initiative is implemented by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast jointly with the mental health center “Povernennia” and Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs.
For three months already, weekly group meetings for veterans in the “peer-to-peer” format have been regularly held at DSUIA.
A friendly and safe atmosphere, the accompaniment of qualified psychologists, and the opportunity to communicate with those who have gone through a similar path allow military veterans to open up, share their lived experience, and receive support from their comrades.
The most recent meeting was attended by military veterans: specialist of the sports team of the Social and Humanitarian Work Department of DSUIA Oleksandr Hryshchuk; inspector of the sports team of the Social and Humanitarian Work Department of DSUIA Viacheslav Panin; military veteran Serhii Shtym, as well as Advisor to the Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Veterans’ Policy Denys Skaleukh and representatives of the veteran community of the 4th City Clinical Hospital of the city of Dnipro.
The “peer-to-peer” format proves its high effectiveness and necessity. Participants note that it is precisely communication with those who understand from the inside that helps reduce the feeling of isolation, lower the level of anxiety, and find internal resources for further recovery.
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