Ukrainian military chaplains, healthcare providers, and psychologists took part in a training session led by Harold Kudler, a globally recognized expert in veterans’ mental health — a psychiatrist, professor, and long-time advisor to U.S. governmental institutions on PTSD and military mental health issues.
During his first visit to Ukraine, Dr. Kudler shared with participants the latest approaches to treating combat trauma, supporting service members and their families, and building effective interagency coordination — principles that have been successfully implemented in the United States. The training session aimed to strengthen the competencies of Ukrainian professionals working on the front lines and in military hospitals.
“We hope to share our knowledge and practical skills with you, but we are also learning from your unique experience, gained under the conditions of war,” noted Harold Kudler.
For many years, Kudler has played a key role in shaping U.S. policy on veterans’ mental health. His contribution to developing the veteran support system has been recognized nationally and internationally: Kudler is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the immediate Past President of the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas, and the chair of the American Psychoanalytic Association’s Service Members and Veterans Initiative.
In addition, medical professionals practiced tools for providing Stress First Aid (SFA) based on the methodology of the Center for Traumatic Stress, Resilience, and Recovery at Northwell Health. This approach focuses on self-reflection, early detection, and timely prevention of the first signs of professional burnout among healthcare providers.
During the war, the Health and Resilience Network — the organizer of the training session — focuses on supporting those who are called to support others. This significantly expands access to high-quality psychological assistance for those working through some of the most stressful and dangerous conditions.
