Diana Pokhilko
Ph.D. in Psychology, Senior Researcher, Leading Researcher at the Educational and Research Laboratory of Extreme and Crisis Psychology at the Research Center. National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine.
ORCID 0000-0003-3374-8771
Anatoliy Sychevskyi
Ph.D. in Psychology. State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2024.2.4
Keywords: SES psychologist, psychological support, psychological state, SES personnel.
The article addresses the issue of psychological support for the State Emergency Service (SES) units during the war. In frontline areas, SES personnel face constant life-threatening situations and thus require increased attention from SES psychologists to maintain their mental and psychological health.
Leading researchers in the field of psychological support within the SES system (N.V. Onishchenko, O.V. Timchenko, R.I. Sirko, E.I. Mykhlyuk, Y.O. Margieva, and others) emphasize that the sooner psychological intervention is provided, the less severe the destructive effects on the mental health of a traumatized individual will be.
In 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine conducted an anonymous online survey to assess the psychological state of SES personnel and the quality of psychological support within the SES. The survey covered 21,714 individuals from territorial bodies and units, central SES divisions, educational institutions, research institutes, enterprises, establishments, and organizations under the SES management.
It was found that the psychological state of SES personnel is generally positive (90.5%): very good (32.3%), good (39.3%), and satisfactory (18.9%). The main reason for deterioration in psychological state is chronic fatigue.
Currently, SES psychologists provide a wide range of psychological services, including psycho-educational sessions, training lectures, individual psychological consultations, group consultations, support groups, self-regulation training, aromatherapy sessions, and various therapies, such as equine-assisted, canine-assisted, music, and art therapy. Psychological support in the SES is organized at a high level, as 91% of respondents reported good psychological health, 76% did not require psychological support, 41% believed in the importance of their work, 36% were optimistic and confident, and 34% were satisfied with their performance results.