Author: Tetiana Palamar

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Psychologist's advice Useful materials

Emotional fatigue from waiting for victory in the war

When we wait for something for a long time, emotional fatigue accumulates, irritation, anger, and resentment at the lack of a positive result appear.

How to stabilize yourself, what to rely on in moments of crisis and change?

There is a term in psychology called resilience. This is a feature of our psyche that allows us to cope with unstable times, prevent emotional burnout, and get out of a pre-depressive state. This is the response of our psyche to various difficulties.

How to develop this relevant quality in yourself, cultivate mental resilience and be as stable as possible in this difficult time?

  • First of all, start with personal actions and remember the simple formula: nutrition + sleep + physical activity.

Our body is created for activity, it needs to be fed, given the opportunity to recover through sleep, and activate the work of lymph and other body systems through training and hiking. In this case, a tone appears, and the body will begin to look for ways to get pleasure and rest after spending efforts.

  • Plan! Start with small daily plans. Write down all plans so you don’t forget.

Add new activities to your diary every day. And most importantly: write down your sensations in the body when the plans are implemented! Catch the feeling of satisfaction from the realization of what has been achieved, even in small things!

  • Strengthen social activity! Go to the community, and act where there is an opportunity for physical meetings, and dialogue.

Through meeting with people, a different experience is transferred, difficulties are better experienced and digested, and your resilience is strengthened.

  • Memories should have a place, but they can be dangerous!

Remember your past experiences, and record the skills you have acquired in a journal of thoughts. But do not forget to find new effective strategies to achieve the desired result.

  • Look at the world more broadly, from different angles.

Almost all of us have an idol. It can be a famous person or an authoritative figure from your life experience. When life’s situation is difficult enough, stop, take a few deep breaths, close your eyes and imagine that your idol is in your situation. What life advice would he give you? How would you behave?

After that, imagine that you are giving a recommendation to your idol in a difficult life situation. If possible, write down your idol’s advice and your own recommendation. Look at the results obtained. Decide what suits you, and what you like. Complete this exercise by writing 3 specific actions you are willing to take.

Each crisis provides an opportunity to find hidden resources and opportunities within yourself that you did not even know about before. Take action and strengthen your inner resistance!

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Response stories

Breach of privacy and anonymity

A client turned to the friendly organization the CF “Health Source”. Her daughter Svetlana, a 10th-grade student, shared with the school psychologist that she has HIV and worries that she won’t be able to date boys.

A little later, her friend stopped communicating with Svetlana. When the girl tried to find out what the reason was, it turned out that her friend’s mother forbade her to be friends with Svetlana because the latter has HIV. It turned out that the psychologist told “in secret” to her friend, who was the mother of a classmate and friend of Svetlana.

The client turned to the school psychologist with a request to refute the information about HIV in front of her friend. However, the school psychologist rudely replied that she had nothing to do with it. The client turned to the director of the educational institution and complained about the psychologist’s actions. However, this did not yield any results.

Later, the woman turned to the REAct documentator for help in punishing the guilty person and organizing psychological help for her daughter. The documentator arranged a meeting with the school director and the psychologist, during which they discussed that the psychologist had disclosed Svetlana’s secret, thus violating the confidentiality and anonymity of the client. The documentarian emphasized that the psychologist must correct the situation, even if she has to “lie” to her friend, to whom he opened up “secretly”. Also, the documentator talked about the possible consequences of disclosing the secret of communication and diagnosis. The client, in turn, warned that she would complain to the city education department, if necessary.

The director and the psychologist apologized and promised to help rectify the situation. After some time, Svetlana’s classmate apologized for her behavior and said that her mother had allowed them to continue communicating. Unfortunately, it was not possible to restore real friendly relations, but after the help, Svetlana began to feel more confident in her future.

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Response stories

Stigma and discrimination at work due to HIV status

Sometimes, in order to feel successful in life, you don’t need to achieve something significant for others, the main thing is to overcome a milestone in your head.

This is what happened to Hanna, who became a victim of stigma and discrimination in the workplace because of her HIV status. And all because once a woman was spotted taking ART pills. After that, the employee accused Hanna of endangering all the other employees and shamed her for having the disease, and for not telling others about it.

Anna then hid her status from everyone and was ashamed of it. But this situation helped to reassess her attitude towards it.

After the incident, Hanna turned to the REAct documentator. He, in turn, referred the woman to a friendly psychologist, who helped her to realize the “normality” of this disease, and to stop hiding it among her close circle. And it helped! Hanna stopped feeling the burden of the secret. Relationships at work and with loved ones have improved due to the increased level of trust. Moreover, the woman’s well-being, both physical and psychological, has also changed for the better.

Hanna now jokes that if it weren’t for the incident and REAct’s help, she would have hid her status anyway, fearing her own shadow.

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Psychologist's advice Useful materials

How to reduce anxiety?

It is impossible to completely eliminate anxiety from your life now and in general. Anxiety highlights the danger. The higher the degree of danger, the greater the anxiety.

Here are some tips to help you reduce your anxiety:

  • Be more attentive to your impulses and environmentally, without harming yourself and others, give them a way out.
  • Do not constantly live in the past and future. Remember what warms your soul, dream. Don’t make long-term plans. Keep your focus for the next 1-3 days.
  • Live now without global plans.
  • Add so-called rituals. This is important for our psyche. It can be a morning cup of tea, sitting alone, or minimal yoga practice. Do what you can afford in the conditions in which you are. The main thing is not to pick up the phone with the news at this time.
  • If you have the opportunity to be in nature, listen to the sound of the wind, and water, enjoy the greenery and flowers, and listen to soothing music – do it as often as possible.
  • Hugs and communication with loved ones – an effective way to deal with anxiety.
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News

Receiving monetary compensation to citizens of Ukraine

The European Court of Human Rights has announced the possibility of obtaining monetary compensation for Ukrainian citizens who have suffered from Russian aggression.

List of situations giving the right to apply to the ECtHR:

  • death of a relative
  • destroyed housing
  • injury
  • unlawful imprisonment (captivity)
  • torture
  • rape or enforced disappearance of a person

For free assistance/advice or assistance in filing an application and receiving compensation, please contact the REAct project documentators.

Each statement is important because it helps both the personally injured person to receive compensation for the damage caused, and every Ukrainian – to achieve condemnation of the actions of the aggressor and prevent new crimes.

A site where you can provide more information about the possibility of obtaining compensation – https://espl.com.ua/

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Response stories

Refusal to treat an internally displaced person

Dmytro asked the REAct documentator to help him get medical help and an examination from a phthisiologist. The man said that he had tuberculosis and was being treated in his region before the war, but after moving he wanted to continue the therapy and receive the necessary drugs.

When Dmytro applied directly to a phthisiologist at his new place of residence, he refused referring to the client’s internally displaced status due to the hostilities in the country.

The Project documentator visited the doctor and explained to him that despite the fact that the client is an IDP and does not have a referral from a family doctor for tuberculosis examination and treatment, he still has the full right to receive treatment at his current place of residence.

The documentator provided Dmytro with initial legal advice and provided assistance in obtaining a certificate for an internally displaced person. Later, on the basis of the received certificate, a referral was taken from the family doctor on duty, after which the phthisiologist diagnosed and provided the necessary drugs for further treatment to the client.

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News

The work of the REAct system was presented at the DHIS2 Annual Conference

Today, June 21, was the second day of the DHIS2 Annual Conference. The REAct system operates on this software platform.

Since 2019, the REAct system has been implemented by the ICF “Alliance for Public Health” (APH) with the full support of Frontline AIDS. During the first year of implementation of the System, the Alliance registered about 2,000 cases of violations of the rights of representatives of key communities in Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Layla Ismail, Senior Advisor: Monitoring Systems, Frontline AIDS

At the end of 2020, APH decided to get independent management of the system, because it gives more opportunities for data collection and analysis, and instant reflection in the system of the necessary changes. In the first quarter of 2021, the Alliance was granted legal rights to the REAct database from Frontline AIDS.

However, this process of system transition and migration of data and settings had its subtleties and stages, required effective planning, and underwent several testing and revision stages.

Thanks to the coordinated work of Frontline AIDS, BAO Systems, and the Alliance, the system was successfully transferred to the new APH server.

During one of the sessions of today’s Conference, our partners from the UK Frontline AIDS, together with Nadiia Semchuk, Senior Program Officer: Research Project Coordination, ICF “Public Health Alliance”, presented their experience of technical and software side of the system, mentioned possible challenges and shared their tips.

Together with its leading partners, REAct works to break down the social, political, and legal barriers faced by marginalized people and innovates to create a future free of AIDS.

Nadiia Semchuk, Senior Program Officer: Research Project Coordination, Alliance for Public Health, Ukraine

In total, as of early 2022, REAct has registered 10,337 cases in 13 countries under the auspices of the ICF “Alliance for Public Health”. Currently, 174 NGOs, including more than 300 users, are implementing the REAct system on the ground.

To achieve these results, REAct project specialists regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of the system, promptly responding to program changes and requests.

Thanks to the work of the REAct system, the obtained data serve as a reliable source for advocacy in the implementing countries. In addition, the regular training, and interactive guides for users to ensure data quality are conducted.

Nadiia Semchuk, Senior Program Officer: Research Project Coordination, Alliance for Public Health, Ukraine
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Response stories

Assistance to PWID in prescribing treatment

Ruslana is a person who injects drugs. The girl has long been a client of a partner NGO, as she has a positive HIV status, has been receiving ARV therapy for many years, and uses outreach services.

One day, the mother of a client who lives and works abroad, called the REAct documentator and asked for help for her daughter. When the documentator and the case manager came to the client’s house, they saw a horrible picture: the apartment was dirty and cluttered, and the girl was unconscious and lying in her excrement. The ambulance they were trying to call refused to come due to lack of fuel.

The next day, the documentator talked to the doctor of the treatment-and-prophylactic institution about the hospitalization of the client and prescribing her treatment to relieve the state of drug intoxication. However, after learning about the client’s serious condition and her HIV status, the doctor refused to hospitalize Ruslana, citing a lack of places in the ward.

The documentator later agreed to treat Ruslana in a private medical center with money sent by the client’s mother. The girl was constantly taken care of by a case manager, who brought her food and maintained her emotional state, communicating as an equal.

Now the client is on the road to recovery and plans to apply for an OST program.

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Psychologist's advice Useful materials

How to quarrel less with relatives during the war?

Unfortunately, it is impossible not to quarrel at all, because now aggression is coming from all sides and finds a way out either through excessive food or alcohol or through quarrels.

Therefore, it is extremely important now to control the expression of one’s opinions, which sometimes turn into accusations.

Instead of accusations, you can say, “I am very angry now because of the feeling of helplessness. I’m scared and I don’t understand what will happen tomorrow. I don’t feel safe. Let us think with you as partners about what we can do. “

In a couple, it is always easier for someone to process information, while someone, on the contrary, keeps everything to himself and thus preserves his fears.

Be careful with criticism.

Try to use the principle of a sandwich: good accent ➡️constructive criticism ➡️good accent.

So criticism will be perceived by the partner more adequately.

For example, if your husband said something unpleasant to you, you can answer him: “Listen, I appreciate and love you very much as my husband/partner, but your words hurt me a lot now. Don’t do that, please. It is better to be a defender for us. We can handle everything. “

If you have the strength and desire, you can organize a ritual of negotiations. For example, every night at 18:00 sit down together to talk.

Ask the following questions:

  • How do you feel today?
  • How can I help you?
  • What’s wrong with you? For example, I am angry at this and that. How are you?
  • Let’s find a compromise, if possible.

If you have young children, you can experience aggression by playing with them. Or try this game in your pair.

Game to work with aggression: you stand on 4 “paws” and imagine yourself as an animal that can defend itself with paws, teeth, and growling. For example, you play a family of tigers. You bite, you push with a paw. It will be much easier to experience aggression in such a game form.

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News

Changes in the work of the REAct system during the full-scale war in Ukraine

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

A full-scale war has exacerbated the human rights situation in Ukraine. During the 100 days of the war, the REAct system registered about 700 violations of the rights of key groups, of which 85% were resolved in whole or in part. For the most part, clients continue to face barriers to receiving ARV therapy, OST, and access to other health services. The occupiers recorded cases of seizure of OST and ART drugs at checkpoints, cases of illegal searches and seizure of personal belongings, and infliction of physical harm.

Since the beginning of the war, the system has recorded cases among a new category of clients – refugees (52 cases) who are internally displaced persons (IDPs) or those who have been forced to go abroad. Interaction with clients and resolution of cases takes place mainly online and by phone, but in case of urgent need and due to the limitations of martial law, clients are also directly escorted to various institutions to help solve their problems. Referral routes and links with governmental and non-governmental organizations are rapidly changing (providing shelter, humanitarian assistance, and information on available assistance opportunities in other areas and abroad). The main strategy of the Project now is to use the available response capabilities to the maximum.

Among refugees, the group of OST program participants is particularly notable. Unfortunately, the aggressor does not recognize OST treatment and considers the participants of the therapy as criminals involved in drug trafficking. Also in the occupied territories, the occupiers do not provide the population with medicines and hinder humanitarian convoys. Therefore, a large number of people are moving to other regions. As the result, they all need help to resume treatment.

In addition to increased stigma and discrimination against OST clients, there are many reports of violations of MSM rights, primarily due to forced migration, which often leads to conflicts based on homophobia.

Since the beginning of the war, the needs of representatives of key groups in the context of interaction with various social structures have increased. As a result, the number of transgender people who have been discriminated against during the war has increased. Odeska oblast receives the most complaints about violations in state and medical structures (military registration and enlistment offices and dispensaries). Solving these problems at the primary level has become more difficult, as government agencies have some immunity from appealing their decisions.

On the other hand, the coordinators of Kyivska and Dnipropetrovska oblasts note positive changes in working with government agencies. Currently, public sector representatives promptly respond to customer and documentator complaints and provide assistance in resolving them. It can be stated that this crisis situation has contributed to positive changes in the work of medical institutions in these areas. There is less bureaucracy in dealing with issues. Doctors, with some exceptions, are more likely to take responsibility for resolving difficult situations, more to consult with clients about certain problems.

Over the last two months, the range of social issues addressed by Kryvyi Rih documentators has significantly expanded. Special attention is paid to IDPs. Such work is carried out in close cooperation with local and district aid headquarters, labor and social protection departments.

In the Zaporizka oblast there are regions that are under the occupation of russian troops. The situation there is quite complicated and interaction with representatives of government agencies is impossible. It is almost impossible to register new cases, as they are quite difficult to isolate due to the constant problems that arise in connection with the occupation. Currently, most complaints come from clients who have tuberculosis and need the necessary treatment.

The humanitarian situation in Kherson is difficult. Due to the occupation, there is no medicine in the region and no state control and law enforcement agencies, which has led to a rapid increase in crime. Many people are forced to live in unsuitable living spaces. Constant communication outages, the inability to recover lost documents and the presence of a large number of russian military personnel in the city led to people being afraid to move on the streets during the first months of the occupation, rather than seeking help from any organization.

Despite this, there were constant reports of violations of the rights of individuals to receive medical care, particularly among patients with tuberculosis. In order to respond to violations and support clients, meetings are held with volunteers, who, in turn, disseminate information in their chats about where to go for help. To date, the first and foremost is maximum safety. It is becoming more and more difficult to work every day. If earlier people used to talk about human rights violations, today they ask for help with hygiene products and food.

In the Kharkivska oblast, most of the documentators went to other regions of Ukraine due to the impossibility of permanent stay in the combat zone. Unfortunately, in the first months of the war, all contact with customers and partners was lost. For the most part, all documentators are currently volunteering and seeking various resources to support local communities.

Since the beginning of the war, the Lvivska oblast has faced the need to organize the reception of IDPs from all over Ukraine. This, in turn, significantly increased the number of people from key groups who needed help and support. The people who came were very different. In a state of stress, they reacted sharply to any unforeseen situations, and therefore needed proper attention and prompt response to their requests. Nevertheless, there are noticeable changes in the attitude of government officials of various orientations to people, especially at the beginning of the war. Despite the fact that there is enough work and enough regrettable cases, there is more understanding in solving issues.

As before the war, at the heart of the work of REAct are human rights. Most attention is currently being paid to ensuring that the work of the Project yields a quick and concrete result, because, as the war has shown, time is the most valuable resource. Therefore, we believe in our strength and go together to Victory!

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Response stories

Stigma in a medical institution due to HIV status

Oksana faced stigma and discrimination from health care staff and denial of medical care. The woman suffered a leg injury and sought medical help at a regular polyclinic for an appointment with a surgeon, where she was denied help when a health worker learned that she was a drug addict and had HIV-positive status.

The doctor said to go to “her hospital”, where everyone is as clumsy and contagious as she is because they don’t have time to take care of everyone here, especially since she has HIV and has to be treated in an infectious disease hospital.

Oksana turned for help to the paralegal of the All-Ukrainian Association of Drug-Addicted Women “VONA”, a documentator of the REAct project, who took the situation under support.

The next day, the paralegal helped the woman and referred her to a friendly local hospital, to the surgical ward, where the woman was examined by a surgeon and prescribed treatment.

In the case of stigmatization and discrimination, non-provision of medical care to the patient, a complaint was filed with the management of the HCF against the surgeon’s actions regarding the violation of the right to medical care. Based on the results of the complaint, a decision was made to discipline the doctor and a reprimand was issued for failing to provide proper medical care. The doctor was also instructed to undergo a training course to overcome stigma and discrimination.

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Lawyer’s advice Useful materials

Features of the organization of social services during martial law

On December 24, 2022, Russia carried out a military attack on our state. In response to the beginning of the war, the Decree of the President of Ukraine of 24.12.2022 № 64/2022 imposed martial law in Ukraine. In connection with the hostilities, there was a question of citizens receiving social services from the local governments in emergencies.

According to the Law of Ukraine “On Social Services”, one of the factors that can cause difficult life circumstances is the damage caused by hostilities, armed conflict, or temporary occupation.

According to the law, in martial law, if it is impossible to apply the general order of organization and provision of social services, social services must be provided urgently (in crisis). This organization of work ensures prompt decision-making on the provision of social services during an emergency.

Various social services can be provided in crisis – case management, home care, inpatient care, asylum, counseling, social support for families in difficult life circumstances, and others.

To assist in the provision of services to citizens by social services of local governments, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine has developed guidelines for the organization of social services under martial law.

Let’s look at how this affected the receipt of social assistance and services.

According to Article 18 of the Law of Ukraine “On Social Services”, in the case of providing social services emergency (in crisis), case management is not applied.

That is, it does not require mandatory social services:

  • analysis of the application/request of a person for the provision of social services, notification of persons/families who are in difficult life circumstances or situations,
  • assessment of the needs of the individual/family in social services,
  • decision-making on the provision of social services taking into account the individual needs of the person/family,
  • development of an individual plan for the provision of social services;
  • concluding an agreement on the provision of social services;
  • execution of the agreement on the provision of social services and the individual plan for the provision of social services;
  • monitoring the provision of social services and assessing their quality.

The decision to provide or refuse to provide social services urgently (in crisis) must be made by social services immediately, not later than one day from the date of receipt of the relevant application, appeal, or notification.

In order to speed up the provision of social services to local governments, it is recommended to give the right to decide on the provision of services directly to providers of such services (social service centers, etc.) with further informing local governments about their provision.

Social services for the period of martial law should be provided by social assistance departments of local authorities:

  • home care (assistance in self-service, housekeeping (purchase and delivery of food, medicine, and other goods, cooking, cleaning, payment of utility bills), in the organization of interaction with other professionals and services (call a doctor, utility workers, transport services, etc.); psychological support; information and representation of interests);
  • counseling (assistance in analyzing the life situation, identifying the main problems, ways to solve them, drawing up a plan for overcoming a difficult life situation; psychological counseling);
  • in-kind assistance (provision of food, personal hygiene items, sanitary facilities and care, clothing, footwear, and other essentials);
  • social support for families/people in difficult life circumstances (counseling, regular meetings, or visits to the social service recipient to monitor the implementation of tasks aimed at solving the difficult life situation of the social service recipient; assistance in understanding the importance of actions and/or skills development manage them, training and development of social skills, skills of upbringing and care for children, household management, counseling, psychological support;)
  • representation of interests (negotiation on behalf of the recipient of social services on his behalf; assistance in registration or renewal of documents; assistance in providing access to resources and services at the place of residence/stay, establishing links with other professionals, services, organizations, enterprises, bodies, institutions, establishments, etc.)
  • informing (providing information on social protection).

Potential recipients of social services include the following vulnerable groups:

  • persons/children with disabilities;
  • lonely elderly people, low mobility persons;
  • internally displaced persons (IDPs);
  • families/individuals with low-income and single status;
  • foster families.

Payment of housing assistance to internally displaced persons According to the law, the status of an internally displaced person is established for every person, including a child.

According to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 20.03.2022 № 332 internally displaced persons are provided with housing assistance in the amount of:

  • for people with disabilities and children – 3000 UAH per month;
  • for others – 2000 UAH per month.

From May 2022, residence assistance is provided to internally displaced persons:

  • who moved from the territory of territorial communities located in the area of military (combat) operations;
  • who moved from the territory of territorial communities under temporary occupation, encirclement (blockade);
  • whose housing was destroyed or unfit for habitation due to damage and who submitted an application for compensation for relevant losses by May 20, 2022, in particular through the Unified State Web Portal of Electronic Services or subject to documentary evidence from local governments of damage/destruction of real estate combat operations.

Internally displaced persons who have returned to their place of residence but have their homes destroyed will continue to receive housing benefits.

The list of territorial communities located in the area of the military (combat) operations or under temporary occupation, encirclement (blockade) approved by the order of the Ministry of Reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine № 75 of 25.04.2022 (as amended).

The list is not a fixed document – it is regularly updated. You can also view current information on the status of communities on the digital map at https://map.edopomoga.gov.ua/

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Response stories

Refusal to provide temporary housing to an HIV-positive person

After the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, the city of Ivan was occupied. The man was forced to move to the Kirovograd region to his relatives. There he received the status of an internally displaced person (IDP).

He was later offered a job in Kryvyi Rih, but Ivan did not have the funds to rent housing. Therefore, the man decided to turn to a local organization that deals with the selection of free housing for IDPs. During the conversation, he asked that the dormitory where he would be accommodated was near the hospital. After all, Ivan needs to receive ART regularly. After that, the employee of the organization replied that he would not be able to provide the necessary services because the man was allegedly registered as an IDP in another area.

Ivan then turned to the REAct documentator, who provided legal advice on the incident, explained the intricacies of obtaining services for IDPs, and helped draft a complaint against the employee of the organization. On the same day, together with the documentator, Ivan visited an institution where the man was provided with temporary housing despite his place of registration as an IDP.

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Psychologist's advice Useful materials

Separation from a child due to war

Since the beginning of the war, many people have been forced to leave their homes and separate from their families. Some parents had no choice but to send their children to a safer place abroad and stay in Ukraine to continue working.

How to be in such cases?

  • Be an example to your child, especially at a distance. The emotional state of the parents is easily transmitted to the child.
  • Tell the children what is happening in Ukraine, but do not make false promises to return home soon. The road to victory can be long.
  • Talk about the emotions together. This will help to cope with stress and reduce anxiety.
  • Spend time together. If you can communicate via video, try doing something together, such as making breakfast. There are also programs for sharing movies at a distance. It is the support of parents that can help a child develop psychological resilience.

Try not to lose touch with the child, communicate, talk about the day’s events, and provide support, even if it is virtual.

The important thing to remember is that every day brings us closer to victory, so we will soon be able to hug our loved ones and be safe.

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Response stories

Assistance during the war

Oleg was forced to leave his home due to Russian aggression in Ukraine and move to Prykarpattia. There he was temporarily placed in a communal facility, along with many other people, as an internally displaced person.

In addition, Oleg is a person with a disability and an HIV-positive drug user. When the man was forced to change his place of residence, he firmly decided that he wanted to change his life for the better, get rid of this terrible addiction, start receiving ART and, if possible, go abroad. To do this, the man tried to join the program of OST but was refused.

Despite this, Oleg did not give up and decided that he would go to receive treatment for HIV. However, new challenges have arisen here as well – incomprehensible “extracts” from the military registration and enlistment office are needed. The man then appealed to the military registration and enlistment office with a request to deregister him as an HIV-infected consumer of psychoactive substances in order to go abroad for treatment. Oleg was again denied, saying that the military registration and enlistment office could not remove him from the military register, but they were ready to provide a “deferment” for treatment for two months.

To get help, Oleg turned, on the recommendation of a friend, to the representative of the Charitable Foundation “Volna” in the region, the documentator of the REAct project. After all, he did not understand what to do next.

The documentator listened carefully to Oleg’s case, reviewed the documents, and provided initial advice. On the same day, the client was escorted to the regional drug dispensary. And in a few days – to the AIDS center – to conduct relevant examinations and tests. Thanks to the assistance and support of the documentator in medical institutions, Oleg was put on the appropriate records, after which he received OST and ART as soon as possible.

However, this did not solve the difficult financial situation of the client, who agreed to start searching for work. Therefore, for a start, Oleg was provided with food and financial support. The documentator, in turn, continued his job search for Oleg and, who was soon hired as a social worker at the CF “Zahid Shans”.

To support Oleg and improve his living conditions, with the assistance of a documentator, the ICF “Alliance for Public Health” paid for the man’s stay in the apartment for the first three months.

In connection with the recent events, Oleg decided not to leave Ukraine but instead began to help people who found themselves in difficult life circumstances.

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Psychologist's advice Useful materials

How does war affect sex life?

A reproductive function may be impaired during life-threatening events. For example, women often lose their periods.

But another reaction is also possible – hypersexuality. It may be based on an evolutionary mechanism – the desire to leave offspring at risk of death. Sex is also used as a way to regain control, get pleasant emotions, and relax.

Due to constant stress and uncertainty, prolonged lack of sleep, depression, and taking certain medications libido might be reduced. Women have difficulty arousing and reaching orgasm, and men – have premature ejaculation and lack of erection.

Thoughts about “how I can have sex when others die” can also cause a decrease in sexual desire.

If lovers have not seen each other for a long time, then after the first meeting, the sexual life that was once usual may not return immediately. After long-term abstinence, there are difficulties in achieving an erection for men, and orgasm – for women.

This is normal, don’t worry. Sexual function will be restored after a while, and before that think about how to express your feelings differently.

Information about rape can cause increased anxiety, disgust toward the partner, and unwillingness to be close. You can identify yourself with the victims, and then the excitement will be frightening.

It is very important to talk to your partner about your feelings. This will give him the understanding that your reluctance to have sex is not because of him. If this condition persists for a long time, you should work out these feelings of disgust, fear, or shame with a specialist.

During the war, interpersonal conflicts intensify. Excessive expectations from a partner, inability to delineate one’s boundaries, different views on the need to evacuate/stay in the shelter – all this leads to mutual resentment and frustration, which, in turn, negatively affects libido.

It is important to remember that intimacy in a relationship can be maintained through hugs, kisses, and kind words.

Whether or not to have sex during the war, the regularity of sex is your couple’s decision. You have the right to have sex as well as to pause. Always talk to each other about your feelings, find words of support, remind yourself how important your loved one is to you, and find the formula of intimacy that suits both of you. And, of course, never forget to use a condom – your reliable helper and protector.

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Response stories

Refusal to perform surgery due to drug addiction

Eugene belongs to the category of injecting drug users. In addition, the man has comorbidities that in the complex led to the appearance of trophic ulcers on the legs. He does not have a large income, that’s why he is not able to apply to private medical institutions, so first of all the man turned to the state medical institution for surgery.

Before the surgery, Eugene underwent a full medical examination, but at this stage, he began to have problems: the man was ignored in the hospital, refused to be placed in the ward, and was allocated a bed in the hallway. As the client himself is convinced, such actions of medical workers were the result of doctors learning about his addiction, and from that moment they stopped paying attention to the patient. As a result, he was discharged from the hospital without surgery.

For help, the man turned to the REAct documentator because he lost the ability to move and did not understand how to proceed. As a result, the man was escorted to a military hospital for surgery. During the operation, doctors were forced to amputate one foot. Eugene was provided with free transportation to visit the medical facility after the surgery. The man quickly went through the rehabilitation process, received crutches for free, and will soon be on the OST program. Today his life is not in danger.

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12 habits that increase anxiety

First of all, it is worth noting that there are two similar emotions that are often confused – anxiety and fear. However, if you dig deeper, they differ significantly. Fear is what we feel right now as a reaction to ongoing events, while anxiety is about events in the past or future that we are transferring to the present moment.

We are used to saying that fear, anger, or anxiety are negative emotions, something bad. However, in fact, these are normal feelings, they are important and useful for a person, like any others. Until the moment when a person is completely immersed in this anxiety, it becomes difficult for him to switch from thoughts about the past or future to the present moment when he stops noticing that he is really in a safe place and there is no threat. This is how anxiety arises.

The following 12 habits are common among anxiety sufferers. It is not an easy task to change habits that are with you throughout life, but it is worth the effort.

  1. Skipping meals

Skipping meals causes hypoglycemia (when blood sugar falls below normal levels), which can lead to common anxiety symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, dizziness, and weakness.

  1. Cravings for sweets

Sugar can temporarily depress an area of the brain normally active during times of anxiety, stopping the release of the stress hormone (cortisol). Therefore, we can feel relief from anxiety when we eat something sweet. But scientific research suggests that sugar consumption increases anxiety and reactivity to stress, leading to more anxiety.

  1. Bad eating habits

Unhealthy eating habits can have a big impact on the intake of essential nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for mental health and nervous system function. Certain nutrient deficiencies (B vitamins, vitamin C and E, magnesium, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids) can affect mood and anxiety levels.

  1. Unsportsmanlike lifestyle

Your body is designed to move, and some body functions depend on physiological movement. If you sit all day and don’t exercise, your physical and mental health is bound to suffer.

  1. Constantly watching the news

Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry and fear, and watching the news can exacerbate this problem, leaving a depressed mood and anxiety. While it’s especially important to be aware of what’s happening in the country right now, watching or reading the news in the morning can set an alarming tone for the day, while negative images and words before bed can affect the quality of sleep. If possible, avoid reading the news first thing in the morning and last thing before bed.

  1. Ignoring the state of anxiety

Your anxiety is a signal that tries to indicate that you need to work on something or change something. If you ignore this signal, the condition will only get worse.

  1. Caffeine intake

Caffeine is the main anxiety trigger. This link between caffeine and anxiety is not obvious because we temporarily feel good after consumption and only feel the disturbing effects after a few hours.

Start drinking a variety of herbal teas. The best teas for anxiety are chamomile, valerian root, and oat straw.

  1. Binge eating and fast food

Very often, when preparing fast food, chemical ingredients and additives are used. These ingredients may contribute to anxiety while lowering mood and social behavior. The worst culprits are artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavor enhancers.

  1. Insufficient water intake

Dehydration puts stress on your body, and when your body is under stress, you may experience general symptoms of anxiety.

Drink more water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

  1. Drinking alcohol

Alcohol increases anxiety levels for several hours after drinking. As the alcohol begins to fade, the person feels more anxious, tired, and depressed than before the alcohol was consumed.

  1. Lack of sleep

Lack of sleep increases the appearance of negative thoughts, significantly increases the level of anxiety, and reduces control.

  1. Comparing yourself to others

When you do this every day, you will have a bad mood and negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. In addition, we tend to focus on someone’s best features, comparing them to our weaknesses.