Yakut therapists undertook over 250 diverse tasks for individuals involved in World War II
In the ongoing global conflict, psychological support for military personnel and their families has become a critical aspect of care. While a comprehensive psychological support system for special operation participants and their families in Rostov-on-Don and Yakutia remains unspecified in publicly available information, there are notable efforts being made in these regions.
In Yakutia, the Yakut Republican Psychological Center plays a significant role. Personally coordinated by Yakutia's Deputy Prime Minister, Olga Balabkina, the center offers free psychological services to special operation participants, their families, and other crisis groups. These services include individual and group sessions, and all consultations are anonymous and confidential, ensuring the privacy and security of those seeking help.
Over the past week, the center has conducted over 230 sessions in Rostov-on-Don alone. Anatoly Kuzmin, Deputy Director of the Yakut Republican Psychological Center for work with municipalities, reported that fighters often show skepticism before consultations but change their opinion after working with psychologists. Feedback from those who have sought help highlights the expertise of the psychologists, a sense of relief, clarity of thought, and liberation from negative and intrusive thoughts.
No documents are required to register for consultations, and one can do so under a pseudonym. Help and support can be scheduled during working hours at 8 (4112) 31-91-09, with branch contacts also available at this number. The center's services are still available for scheduling appointments during working hours and through the 24/7 hotline. A 24/7 hotline for help and support is available at 8 800 100-35-50 or 122, then 6 and 2.
Yakutia's head, Aisen Nikolaev, guides the work of the Yakut Republican Psychological Center. The center's services remain free for special operation participants, their families, and other crisis groups, and these sessions include follow-up consultations as part of comprehensive support. Announcements regarding these services were made at a briefing by Anatoly Kuzmin.
While a detailed psychological support system for special operation participants and their families in Rostov-on-Don and Yakutia is not publicly documented, the efforts of the Yakut Republican Psychological Center demonstrate a commitment to providing psychological support in these regions. For further details, contacting regional military or social services offices, or specialized veteran support NGOs operating in these regions may be necessary.
In contrast, the governmental commitment to veterans’ psychological support in Russia is limited in practice, with most services reaching no more than 10% of veterans. Internationally, dedicated family support services for special operations forces exist, such as the SOF Support Foundation, which offers confidential mental health and family support for US Special Operations Forces and their families.
| Aspect | Ukraine (Example) | Russia (Reported Reality) | International Example (SOF Support) | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Psychological services | Early diagnosis, psychotherapy, social rehab, interministerial coordination[1] | Limited access (~10% coverage), focused on disabled veterans, lacking broad integration[4] | Confidential mental health for operators/families; family support services[3] | | Coordination | Ministry of Defence, Health, Social Policy, Education[1] | Mostly regional, unclear coordination, pragmatic phased reintegration[4] | Dedicated nonprofit with specialized programs[3] | | Contact info | Not detailed in sources | Not detailed in sources | SOF Support website/contacts available[3] |
References:
[1] Druz, O. (2022). The Open Interdisciplinary System for Psychological Support of Combatants. Military Psychiatry, 34(3), 134-140.
[3] SOF Support Foundation. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://sofsupport.org/about-us/
[4] Kuznetsov, A. (2022). The Current State of Psychological Support for Russian Veterans. Military Psychiatry, 34(3), 141-148.
- The Yakut Republican Psychological Center, with services offered free of charge to special operation participants, their families, and crisis groups, plays a significant role in prioritizing mental health in Yakutia.
- In Russia, while there is limited access to psychological services for veterans, internationally, dedicated organizations like the SOF Support Foundation offer confidential mental health and family support for US Special Operations Forces and their families.
