The Seventh Mental Health Center of the Nationwide RETURNING Network Opens in Lutsk

The seventh mental health center of the RETURNING (Ukr. «ПОВЕРНЕННЯ») network has opened in Lutsk. The network was founded by Victor and Olena Pinchuk to support Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces. Every year, 4,000 military personnel, veterans and their family members will be able to receive high-quality, comprehensive and free psychological support here.

The RETURNING project demonstrates a successful example of partnership between the private sector and the state, with philanthropists establishing mental health centers at public medical institutions. The new center is based at one of the key medical institutions in the Volyn region. 

With funding from the RETURNING project, part of the first-floor premises was renovated and a modern, comfortable and fully accessible center was created in accordance with global accessibility standards. The center features wide doorways, no thresholds, medical non-slip linoleum flooring and accessible sanitary facilities, including those adapted for wheelchair users.

The center includes five specialist offices, a group therapy room, a two-bed day-care ward with electric multifunctional beds and an accessible bathroom with a shower, as well as a treatment room, doctors’ office, staff lounge, reception area with a waiting room, accessible sanitary facilities for visitors and a storage room.

The center is equipped with everything needed for therapy and trauma-focused work, including the Shiftwave System (USA) for psychological relaxation and stress management, art therapy materials, metaphorical associative cards, board and psychological games, stress-relief tools, tactile mats, massage balls, yoga mats and other equipment. Specialists also have access to a professional library and equipment for effective work, including two computer sets, multifunctional devices, a multimedia projector and screen, and four laptops.

As in other centers of the RETURNING network, the Lutsk center has a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, nurses, case managers and social workers. They support each person throughout all stages of care — from initial consultation to long-term therapy and mental recovery.

“When we build the nationwide network of RETURNING centers, we start not with the walls, but with the teams. The best specialists are the heart of every center. They create an atmosphere of safety, trust and psychological inclusivity where military personnel and veterans can talk about the most difficult things and receive support that truly works. It is fundamentally important to us that help is close at hand. That is why we are opening centers across Ukraine — so that everyone who needs support can access professional services closer to home, in their own city,” says Svitlana Grytsenko, Head of the RETURNING project. 

Psychological inclusivity is at the core of all RETURNING centers. This means that the space, communication and therapeutic approaches are designed so that every visitor — regardless of their experience, condition or trauma — feels safe, respected and accepted, with the opportunity to talk about the most difficult things without fear of being misunderstood or judged. In Lutsk, this philosophy is reinforced by the peer-to-peer approach and a team of specialists with a deep understanding of the realities of war.

Particular attention is paid to creating a safe environment and fostering trust. The center is headed by Olha Ostapchuk, who has three years of combat experience as part of the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade, where she served as head of the medical service. She was demobilized in March 2025 and is a retired major of the medical service.

“For everyone who comes to our center, we develop an individual recovery plan. For some, the focus is more on anxiety; for others, on traumatic memories or adapting to civilian life. It is important that people feel they are not going through this journey alone — we move forward with them, step by step. We take a comprehensive approach, from stabilization and psychotherapy to medication support, group sessions and daily assistance from the multidisciplinary team. And, of course, we create a safe space where people can speak openly without fear of being misunderstood,” says Olha Ostapchuk, Head of the RETURNING center in Lutsk.  

The RETURNING mental health center in Lutsk will provide military personnel, veterans and their family members with effective psychological support, including cognitive behavioral therapy, Gestalt therapy, trauma-focused psychotherapy, stabilization and self-regulation techniques, group therapy and crisis counseling. Specialists work with people experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depressive disorders, adjustment difficulties, psychosomatic symptoms and other consequences of psychological trauma.

All centers in the RETURNING network operate on an outpatient basis and provide free services. During the first stage of the project, 20–25 centers are planned to open across Ukraine. Every year, they will be able to provide professional support to more than 100,000 military personnel, veterans and their family members.