PECULIARITIES OF MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN WAR CONDITIONS: THE EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The author investigated the issue of mental health and psychological adaptation of internally displaced persons in war conditions. It is noted that today the war is the most pronounced negative factor affecting the mental health of an individual. This factor creates a direct threat to human life and causes various forms of violence (political, military, economic, sexual, etc.). War can have serious effects on an individual's mental well-being, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. It was noted that as a result of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the problem of forced migration became one of the most important for the state and society. Almost 10 million Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes as a result of this conflict. It is noted that the mental health of a person depends on various socio-economic, biological and environmental factors that can affect his condition at any moment of time. Among these factors, violence and persistent socio-economic pressures are recognized as risks to mental health, with particularly clear evidence of this associated with sexual violence. It also indicates that the deterioration of mental health is associated with rapid social changes, stressful working conditions, gender discrimination, social isolation, unhealthy lifestyles, deterioration of physical health and human rights violations. It is noted that the impact of war on mental health can be long-lasting and requires adequate support and interventions. Survivors of war can suffer from psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and other mental health problems. The main areas of psychological support for IDPs are considered. It was noted that psychological support should be individualized and focused on the needs of specific individuals. A comprehensive approach to psychological support, including diagnosis, planning and implementation of interventions, will contribute to improving the psychological adaptation of forcibly displaced persons.