Help in action: the first group of children returned from deportation undergoes psychological intensive training at Gen.Camp

Children returned by the UMDPL from deportation and/or occupation became participants of the psychological intensive educational and rehabilitation camp Gen.Camp.

The main goal of the 10-day intensive is to stabilize the emotional state of children, teach them self-regulation techniques and mastery of various manifestations of traumatic reactions, as well as screening of the main problems for the further development of qualified and effective protocols for systemic psychological assistance to children.

“The format of the camp makes it possible to comprehensively affect all areas of a child’s life in a short time, as the program is designed in such a way that the child can get a lot of different activities during the day that affect the physical, emotional and social spheres. In addition, in this format, we have the opportunity to respond “here and now” to various manifestations of trauma in a child and teach them to cope not in theory, but literally in practice,” says Vanui Martirosyan, a psychologist at Gen.Ukrainian.

Vanui’s photo is from his personal archive.

She noted that the children were involved in the process from the very beginning and showed interest. They were especially attentive to learning self-regulation techniques – they immediately felt how it worked. Then the children worked on mastering strategies for dealing with obsessive thoughts, different emotional states, self-help, and helping others.

“The most important thing is that they started to believe in themselves and that they can really influence certain areas of their lives, and this gives them strength,” Vanui says.

The psychologist noted that children who have lived through the experience of deportation and occupation have a background feeling of danger, distrust and constant tension in their bodies, as if they constantly need to control what is happening around them and whether it poses a threat to them. That’s why they need psychological help to reduce these feelings and develop alternatives. But it takes time and comprehensive systemic efforts at all levels of child care.

“The first and overall goal is to give children a sense of security. Only then will we be able to restore their faith in themselves and their position as active creators of life, not executors of instructions,” Vanui says.

She advises parents of children who have faced similar traumatic experiences to wake up consistently, to give their children time and structure, routine and predictability.

“Work to create an emotionally safe environment by mastering your own emotions and being willing to help your child recall the self-regulation skills they already know. This will create a sense of control and safety,” Vanui explains.

We remind you that on May 27, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network signed a memorandum of cooperation and partnership with the Gen.Ukrainian NGO.

“Systematic psychological rehabilitation of children with experience of deportation and occupation is an urgent need faced by Ukrainian children during repatriation. Currently, there is a need to develop a unified and scientifically proven protocol for long-term psychological rehabilitation and support of children,” added Anastasia Stepula, advocacy adviser of the UMDP.

For reference: Gen.Ukrainian was established in 2022 for the mental rehabilitation of children who have faced the horrors of war. It is an educational and rehabilitation camp for children who are experiencing the loss of one or both parents. The project is currently being implemented with the support of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, but anyone can support its work with a donation.