We can support those trapped in shelters or struggling with survivor’s guilt. But some emotional damage is irreparable
All four of my grandparents survived the second world war, and all four were scarcely willing to talk about it, having either survived the siege of Leningrad or come back from the frontline wounded. On the rare occasions they did, their memories would leave them devastated.
The lifelong PTSD they experienced was quite possibly one of the reasons I became a psychologist. I wanted to do something to end the vicious circle of trauma, abuse, self-neglect and fear. But during my training, I could never have predicted the way I would be applying my skills a decade later.
Anna Shilonosova is a documentary photographer and assistant psychologist currently based in the UK
If you know someone who might need help and support from a Ukrainian- or Russian-speaking psychologist, please let them know about these services; they are free of charge and available 24/7: https://t.me/PsihologDopomogaWarInUa_2022; www.instagram.com/psy.for.peace; https://t.me/psyhelp_Ukraine; https://sppu.com.ua/
