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Vladyslav Platonov - Ph.D. in Psychology, Scientific employee of the Educational and Scientific Laboratory of Extreme and Crisis Psychology. National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Cherkasy (Ukraine)
ORCID 0000-0001-7013-8660
Valentyn Kerdyvar - Ph.D. in Psychology, Head of the Educational and Scientific Laboratory of Extreme and Crisis Psychology. National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Cherkasy (Ukraine)
ORCID 0000-0001-6560-6028
Tatyana Kustova - Primary School Teacher. Municipal Institution "Kharkiv Lyceum No. 85 of the Kharkiv City Council", Kharkiv (Ukraine)
DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2025.2.14
Keywords: children, child protection, psychological traumatization, traumatic factors, mental state, social environment, psychological protection and psychosocial support, emergency psychological assistance point.
The article is devoted to analyzing the implementation of psychological protection and psychosocial support principles in the work of psychologists of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) during the provision of emergency psychological assistance to children at emergency psychological assistance points. The relevance of the topic is determined by the significant increase in the number of children who have experienced psychological traumatization as a result of military-related emergencies. Children are among the most vulnerable categories of affected populations, and acute stress reactions in childhood can lead to long-term negative consequences for personality development. In this context, it is especially important to ensure timely, structured, and competent psychological assistance based on the principles of psychological protection and psychosocial support.
The article analyzes the regulatory foundations of the SES of Ukraine psychologists’ activities, emphasizing the principle of the psychologist’s active position and the need for independently identifying individuals who require assistance. Special attention is given to the organization of emergency psychological assistance points, where designated child-friendly zones are created to ensure a sense of safety, emotional stabilization, and the possibility of grouping children according to their urgent needs.
A review of modern scientific sources from 2022–2025 is presented, highlighting the importance of psychological protection and psychosocial support in work with children who have experienced traumatic events. Researchers emphasize the significance of principles such as rapid response, intersectoral cooperation, ethical practice, working within professional competence, and appropriate referral to other specialists.
The article notes that the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) intervention pyramid is an effective conceptual framework for implementing psychological protection and psychosocial support within emergency psychological assistance. The authors adapt this model to the conditions of emergency psychological assistance points, distinguishing four levels of intervention: ensuring basic safety, providing primary psychological support, conducting short-term stabilization interventions, and performing screening with subsequent referral to specialized professionals.
It is noted that therapeutic interventions conducted by SES of Ukraine psychologists should be short-term, structured, and aimed at quickly restoring the child’s emotional balance. The results of the analysis demonstrate that implementing psychological protection and psychosocial support principles at emergency psychological assistance points helps minimize acute stress reactions, prevent further psychological traumatization, and ensure effective referral of children to appropriate services.
The application of the adapted model of emergency psychological intervention significantly improves the quality of assistance, supports children’s psychological resilience, and creates conditions for further adaptation. The conclusions emphasize that SES of Ukraine psychologists of Ukraine play a key role in stabilizing children’s emotional states during emergencies, ensuring their psychological safety, and creating conditions for recovery. Adherence to the principles of psychological protection and psychosocial support is an essential condition for effective response to wartime challenges and for establishing a sustainable system of support for children in emergency and crisis situations.