New Mental Health Facility for Military Personnel Opened by the Pinchuk Family

Expansion of the 'Return' Center Network

According to Главком: Victor and Olena Pinchuk have announced the expansion of their 'Return' mental health center network with a new facility launched in partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Guard of Ukraine. This location, the 17th in the network, is housed within a departmental medical institution and will deliver specialized psychiatric and psychological care to service members-particularly those returning from captivity.

The center has a capacity to treat up to 500 inpatients and provide over 3,000 consultations each year. Its facilities include rooms for individual, group, art, and biosuggestive therapy, along with a reception area, a 24-hour nursing station, a waiting zone, and patient rooms equipped with inclusive sanitary units. The staff comprises a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, registered nurses, and nursing assistants.

Priorities and Equipment

A key focus of this new center is assisting military personnel immediately after their release from captivity.

“Soldiers, especially those returning from captivity, often need not just a single consultation but long-term, comprehensive recovery. It is impossible to fully overcome the effects of severe traumatic experience in just two or three weeks-this is a process that requires time, trust, and carefully selected treatment methods,” noted Ihor Slobodian.

The center is outfitted with modern technology, including a Shiftwave System and an EMDR therapy kit, as well as art therapy supplies, psychological assessment tools, and computer equipment. As of now, the 'Return' network comprises 17 centers located in the following cities:

• Vinnytsia
• Dnipro
• Zhytomyr
• Ivano-Frankivsk
• Kyiv and Kyiv region
• Kropyvnytskyi
• Lutsk
• Odesa
• Poltava
• Rivne
• Ternopil
• Uzhhorod
• Khmelnytskyi
• Cherkasy
• Chernihiv

Since its launch, the 'Return' network has provided assistance to over 25,000 military personnel, veterans, and their family members. The first phase of the project aims to open at least 25 centers, capable of helping more than 100,000 individuals annually.

“Collaboration with the National Guard of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs allows us to deliver care right where those undergoing recovery and reintegration after captivity are located,” emphasized Svitlana Hrytsenko.

This new facility will serve as a vital component in the support system for service members requiring professional help to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The expansion of the 'Return' center network marks a significant step in bolstering mental health support for military personnel, especially those who have endured severe trauma related to captivity. The opening of this center reflects a growing focus on mental health issues in Ukraine, particularly amid the ongoing armed conflict. It will enable more individuals to access the care they need, which can profoundly impact their recovery and reintegration into society.

The launch of the new mental health facility highlights the ongoing commitment to support military personnel in their recovery journey. Similarly, a recent initiative focused on the defenders of Mariupol has established a rehabilitation center to address the unique challenges faced by those who served in this critical region. These efforts underscore the importance of comprehensive mental health care for service members across Ukraine.