A two-day training for military chaplains dedicated to psychological first aid and burnout prevention was held in Lviv. The training was conducted using the methodology of the Center for Traumatic Stress, Resilience and Recovery of the Northwell Health (USA).
The lead trainer of the event was Harold Kudler — an American psychiatrist, professor, and long-time advisor to U.S. government institutions on post-traumatic stress disorder and support for military veterans.
In the context of a prolonged war, military chaplains work daily with human suffering, loss, and severe psychological trauma. Constant exposure to the traumatic experiences of others creates high risks of emotional exhaustion, secondary traumatization, and professional burnout.
During the training, participants learned practical tools for strengthening psychological resilience, recognizing early signs of exhaustion, and addressing difficult questions of faith in wartime conditions.
“A chaplain must be a source of support for soldiers, and psychological resilience is just as essential to their work as body armor or a first aid kit,” the organizers emphasized.
Special attention was also given to preserving the chaplains’ own inner resources. Even the strongest individuals may fail to notice the moment when chronic stress begins to undermine their psychological foundation.
The training was part of a broader effort to support professionals working with military personnel and veterans during the full-scale war. It was held with the support of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Anglican Church of Luxembourg, the NGO “Art of Ideas,” and the Christian Church “Restoration.”
