Creation of the National RETURNING Mental Health Center Network

Victor and Olena Pinchuk to Establish a Nationwide Network of RETURNING Mental Health Centers for Military Personnel

Victor and Olena Pinchuk are launching a nationwide project aimed at supporting the mental health of military personnel, veterans, and their families who have experienced psychological trauma as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The RETURNING (Ukr. «ПОВЕРНЕННЯ») project seeks not only to provide access to professional mental health care, but also to establish systemic support for those who have endured the most difficult experiences of the war.

The project will focus on two key areas:

• establishing a nationwide network of RETURNING mental health centerswhere military personnel, veterans, and their families will be able to receive free mental health support;
• implementing world-class educational programs for medical professionals — psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists — to ensure the highest standards of treatment and support.

At the first stage of the project, at least 25 mental health centers will be established across Ukraine, with centers planned in every region. Military personnel, veterans, and their family members who require psychological support will be able to seek consultations and assistance at the centers closest to them. RETURNING mental health centers will be established on the basis of public healthcare facilities and will provide free outpatient services. The first center will open in early 2025 in the city of Dnipro.

The goal of the RETURNING project is not only to support psychological recovery, but also to systematically develop the mental health sector in Ukraine by creating a nationwide network. Significant attention will also be devoted to professional education, as highly qualified psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists are key to successful recovery from trauma. In cooperation with leading Ukrainian and international experts, specialized educational programs will be developed to help healthcare professionals provide effective support to people who have experienced war-related trauma.

Commenting on the initiative, RETURNING founder, businessman and philanthropist Victor Pinchuk said: 

“The traumas of war are often invisible, but their impact on people’s lives is enormous. Every Ukrainian carries a tremendous psychological burden. But those on the front line bear the heaviest burden of all — constantly risking their lives and losing their brothers and sisters in arms. It is precisely to support them and help them return to a fulfilling life that we are launching this new project. I believe it will be successful. I have confidence in the professionalism of our specialists and in the resilience of our heroes and heroines. People can stand firmly on their feet even when those feet have been amputated, because true strength is born in the mind. It is mental resilience and faith in oneself that make it possible to overcome the most difficult challenges.”

RETURNING founder Olena Pinchuk emphasized:

“The longer the war continues, the more severe the mental health challenges become for those who face unimaginable trials every day. The human psyche has resources, but they are not limitless. Mental health issues are no less important or complex than physical health issues. They must be treated with the utmost attention and respect. It is extremely important that genuine professionals be involved in addressing them. Therefore, our task is to create a nationwide network in which, at every center, our heroes and heroines will feel the care and support of the highest-level professionals.”

The RETURNING mental health project will become another key area of support for military personnel, veterans, and their families. In early 2023, Victor and Olena Pinchuk launched the national RECOVERY network of rehabilitation centers for wounded military personnel. Since then, 15 innovative and barrier-free centers have been opened, providing high-quality free services to more than 20,000 wounded military personnel. As part of RECOVERY’s educational program, more than 3,000 healthcare professionals have participated in training and professional exchange programs, including in the United States, Austria, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Switzerland, and Norway.

Additional Information

Ukraine is currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis as a result of Russia’s military aggression, causing severe psychological trauma among Ukrainians. The war contributes to the development of various mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, burnout, and other mental health conditions. Military personnel are particularly exposed to these adverse factors, and the consequences of war can significantly affect their quality of life. Under conditions of constant stress and risk, they face serious challenges in maintaining psychological balance, which can also affect their ability to perform combat missions effectively.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in five people living in areas affected by armed conflict experiences some form of mental health disorder at some point over the course of the previous 10 years — ranging from mild depression or anxiety to psychosis. At the same time, nearly one in ten people, including veterans, may have a mental health disorder and require support. 

During active hostilities, information on the prevalence of mental health disorders among military personnel remains sensitive. At the same time, according to a sociological study conducted by Gradus Research Company, 71% of surveyed civilians in Ukraine have recently experienced stress or severe nervousness. Military personnel, meanwhile, are constantly exposed to situations that can cause psychological trauma and, without timely support, may lead to the development of mental health disorders.

The mental health centers are planned to provide systemic support, ensuring that military personnel, veterans, and their families receive qualified and timely care, prevention, and recovery services in accordance with the best international standards. The centers will provide support both through healthcare facilities and through mobile multidisciplinary teams. 

The centers’ multidisciplinary teams will bring together clinical case managers, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, nurses, social workers, reception coordinators, drivers, and medical registrars. This structure will enable the centers to provide effective and comprehensive support to patients at different stages of treatment and rehabilitation.

With the goal of developing a nationwide network of mental health centers, Victor and Olena Pinchuk are placing significant emphasis on professional education. Specialized training programs are planned for mental health professionals, taking into account the specific needs of each professional specialization and providing practical knowledge and effective tools for working with patients. 

The programs will include opportunities to exchange experience with Ukrainian and international experts and supervisors with extensive experience in working with psychological trauma, including the consequences of war. Workshops, training sessions, and supervision meetings will help improve specialists’ qualifications, giving them the opportunity to select the most appropriate therapeutic approaches for restoring the mental well-being of military personnel and their family members.

These initiatives will contribute to strengthening professional expertise across Ukraine, introducing the best international practices in the field of mental health, and ensuring a high quality of care for patients.