Training on Trauma and PTSD Equips Clergy and Parishioners to Better Support Their Communities

In early August, the Lviv Orthodox Theological Academy hosted another two-day training, "Working with Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)," led by Iryna Raspopina, psychologist and psychotherapist at the NGO Free Choice.

Opening the training, Father Kyprian Lozynsky, Vice-Rector of the Lviv Orthodox Theological Academy, spoke candidly about the importance of understanding psychological trauma.

"I know firsthand what post-traumatic stress and depression feel like. But with God's help, and with the support and knowledge of experienced psychologists and psychotherapists, healing is possible."

The training brought together priests, clergy spouses, seminarians, and active parishioners from dioceses across Ukraine for two days of practical learning focused on supporting people affected by war.

Participants explored how to recognize the signs of psychological trauma, support those grieving the loss of loved ones, respond appropriately to acute emotional distress, and how to be present for someone in crisis without causing additional harm.

For many, one of the most valuable lessons was discovering that meaningful support is not always about finding the right words.

"What struck me most was realizing that sometimes the greatest help isn't having ready-made answers. It's simply being present — listening, accepting, and supporting someone without judgment," says participant Natalia Kalichyn.

Reflecting on the experience, she adds:

"These two days will stay with me not only in my memory but also in my heart. Thank you for the valuable knowledge, practical tools, encouragement, and warm atmosphere. I hope the experience we've gained will help us become a reliable source of support for those who need it most."

As the war continues to affect nearly every family in Ukraine, knowledge of trauma-informed support is becoming more than a professional skill — it is an essential resource for anyone who accompanies people through grief, loss, and profound life challenges.

The project "Clergy and Communities in Support of Mental Health: Innovative Support Practices During the War in Ukraine" is implemented by Eleos-Ukraine in partnership with DanChurchAid and Norwegian Church Aid in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Norway (NORAD), in cooperation with the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy and the Lviv Orthodox Theological Academy.