SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF UKRAINE’S 60,000 RESPONDERS

Since February 2022, Ukraine's 60,000 Emergency Responders Have Faced Relentless Bombardment, Mass Casualties, And The Loss Of Their Communities. The Mental Health Crisis Is Real. FIRE AID's Brave Minds Programme Is Working In Ukraine To Change That.

UKRAINIAN FIREFIGHTERS FACE A GROWING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS 

Since February 2022, Ukraine's 60,000 emergency responders have worked under conditions with no parallel in modern European emergency services: repeated bombardment of civilian infrastructure, sustained operations in active combat zones, and chronic exposure to mass fatality incidents.

113 rescuers have been killed. 577 have been injured. 458 fire stations have been destroyed.

Yet until recently, no dedicated independent mental health support existed for firefighters and rescue workers carrying that incredible loss.

WHAT BRAVE MINDS PROVIDES

Brave Minds is FIRE AID's mental health programme for Ukrainian emergency responders, now entering its second year. Delivered by qualified Ukrainian psychologists and free at the point of use, it provides one-to-one online therapy, round-the-clock crisis support via LifeLine Ukraine, and self-help resources tailored to the specific psychological pressures of emergency service in wartime. The programme operates independently of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine(SESU) and is currently reliant on public donations.

WHY MENTAL HEALTH, AND WHY NOW?

FIRE AID has delivered 155 fire trucks and over 350,000 items of equipment to SESU since 2022. That work continues. But after years of working directly with rescuers, it became clear that physical resources alone were not enough.

Viktoria Kryvolapchuk, Lead Psychologist for Brave Minds, puts it simply: "We need to ensure our rescuers are mentally fit to work because the fire service is an essential part of civil defence. And whether in war or peace, there is no end in sight to the psychological burden they carry."

EXPANDING ACROSS UKRAINE

The programme's second year is focused on reach as we work to extend Brave Minds services across every Ukrainian region. These are the same personnel who will be central to any future reconstruction and long-term civil resilience in the country.

Edward Matthews, Project Manager for Brave Minds, said: "Rescuers are asking for help, often after extremely difficult incidents. Small, regular donations allow us to provide stable, long-term care. If thousands of people give the price of a coffee each month, we can support rescuers across the entire country."

Donors are also invited to leave a short message, which is shared with rescuers during a therapy session as we have found this to be an incredibly powerful way to show support and care.

The Brave Minds team with State Emergency Service of Ukraine personnel

SUPPORT BRAVE MINDS

£3 a month funds consistent, long-term psychological care for Ukrainian emergency responders.

Click Here To Support Brave Minds Today

If you'd like to discuss partnership or funding, contact edward@fire-aid.org.