Episode 38: condition of war

00:00:00: For more than four years, war has raged on the edge of Europe.

00:00:05: Hundreds of thousands people have died as a result of the War Against Ukraine.

00:00:11: It is not only the country's eastern border and not only soldiers exposed to the horrors of war.

00:00:18: The civilian population across Ukraine also affected.

00:00:22: Large swathes of infrastructure had been destroyed by air strikes.

00:00:27: Many Ukrainians have family members who are missing or have been killed.

00:00:31: Nevertheless, they must carry on with their lives!

00:00:35: In this three-part miniseries we show what war in one's own country means for the work and mental health of that population... ...and What This War Means For The Rest Of Europe.

00:00:50: Hello And welcome to We Work Europe – the podcast at the European Centre for

00:01:10: Workers' Questions.

00:01:13: When the alarm sounds, we go to the shelter which is in our garden.

00:01:20: This is Ludmila Vysotska.

00:01:22: She's a kindergarten teacher at Lviv A major city in western Ukraine.

00:01:27: In spring of twenty-twenty six an air raid siren sounds every few weeks.

00:01:32: That could change any moment!

00:01:35: In previous years there were periods when the siren sounded once or twice week And when this happens, a now well-rehearsed routine is followed.

00:01:48: We have got used to standing up and going into the shelter.

00:01:52: Even if we wake them from their afternoon sleep.

00:01:55: The children don't cry.

00:01:57: They know it's matter of life or death.

00:02:03: At first glance It seems that Ukrainian woman has adapted her situation.

00:02:08: Living in a war zone and its associated restrictions, such as power cuts has become daily business for her.

00:02:15: But appearances can be deceiving.

00:02:22: It causes daily stress And it hasn't impact on mental health.

00:02:26: Then after that – physical health.

00:02:33: Some of the children develop pneumonia because the bunkers were not warm enough during cold days and mid-power cuts.

00:02:41: Lyudmila says that she and her colleagues suffer from headaches.

00:02:45: At the same time, The fifty seven year old reveals That her work as a kindergarten teacher gives her strength.

00:02:56: It has become increasingly clear what we are standing for.

00:03:00: We are there for the children while their fathers are on front line.

00:03:04: It helps to mobilize inner feelings, it gives us strength in these times and makes us more convinced of what we're

00:03:12: doing.".

00:03:16: Psychologist Elena Hitchman over the International Committee of The Red Cross believes that engaging in meaningful work or having regular tasks is important for maintaining good mental health.

00:03:30: If someone is depressed or has mental health issues giving them structure and stability, it's good for them.

00:03:37: Of course work gives people independence and financial security which are good factors

00:03:44: but

00:03:45: if your job is to Work in a utility company that is being shelled Or you're job is about the Collection of human remains or working at hospital.

00:04:00: Many more patients with less resources and significant injuries that these things can also be very challenging.

00:04:30: This is added to the individual workload.

00:04:33: These days, the permitted weekly working hours are capped at sixty due to a law that government passed back in twenty-twenty two.

00:04:42: additionally public holidays have been scrapped.

00:04:45: as one can imagine The time available for rest has been significantly reduced.

00:04:51: If you are not having time for rest and recuperation, then we see people becoming quite burnt out.

00:04:59: Problems sleeping everybody because of the air alerts potentially so this can impact on your ability to do your job.

00:05:12: Not only has The Law changed working hours but it also led further restrictions on labour laws.

00:05:19: Collective bargaining has stalled and redundancies no longer require the consent of trade unions.

00:05:25: Trade unions such as Vostvolya, which represents Catholic workers in Ukraine have some understanding of the government's measures.

00:05:34: however they continue to engage in dialogue with employers and defend the rights their members.

00:05:41: Although The International Red Cross does not work directly with trade unions nevertheless it also seeks support people.

00:05:50: We often get requests for support from utility workers or healthcare providers.

00:05:57: If there are some things that we can do, then try to.

00:06:02: and also capacity building supports the Ukrainian Red Cross Society who may have psychosocial volunteers.

00:06:16: But I think the big issue is there's not enough people to respond in all areas.

00:06:23: Compared with other EU countries such as Denmark, Germany or France... ...the issue of mental health isn't widely discussed among Ukrainian population.

00:06:33: This partly due to Soviet past when psychology was often viewed in purely clinical terms.

00:06:40: Another reality that war has simply put a spanner on works says Eleanor Hitchman.

00:06:47: Ukraine was in the middle of some health reforms before the conflict, from a mental-health point which of course had many taboos that exist in many countries around psychiatric disorders and very little access or funding of services into community, probably doesn't so openly talk about mental health issues.

00:07:21: So I think there has been a big increase in awareness around mental health since the conflict, this is being very much something that Olena Zelensky has kind of focused on.

00:07:33: it's increasing access to mental health services making them more community based.

00:07:39: people are more aware to talk.

00:07:46: there aren't enough qualified professionals to listen to them.

00:07:49: The Ministry of Health is trying to bridge this gap by offering psychology training courses and shortening the duration of Psychology degree programmes, while it can take upto nine years in England.

00:08:02: In Ukraine you can obtain an early qualification after just six months without having any contact with patients.

00:08:12: Those affected cannot wait until they are enough psychologists Organisations such as the Red Cross are therefore focusing on programmes that help people to help themselves.

00:08:25: One such programme is aimed at families who were missing their sons, husbands or other family members.

00:08:34: Generally we connect with potential beneficiaries We explain what our programme involves and then we will organise a group of support which may be like eight people.

00:08:47: And in this group, we talk about the challenges of living with ambiguity or just not knowing what is happening.

00:08:57: With their loved one but also in their life more generally.

00:09:00: We will discuss... The goal really for these groups to increase their support network so helping them connect with others through the group and also helping them strengthen their relationships outside of the group.

00:09:15: There are also ways to relieve stress on a personal level.

00:09:19: The psychologist explains that there is no magic cure, everyone has different things that help them cope with the mental load.

00:09:27: Kindergarten teacher Lyudmila Vysotska initially attended an event organised by her trade union, Vostvolja.

00:09:34: This led to regular meetings of another kind.

00:09:41: At the weekends I attend a creativity gathering I draw or make wool toys.

00:09:47: This helps me to

00:09:48: relax.".

00:09:52: Lyudmila is worried about her family, two of her husband's cousins have been serving as soldiers at the front line since beginning of war Her niece currently working on the frontline as a doctor.

00:10:06: Many Ukrainian women left their homeland with children from outbreak.

00:10:12: They wanted to find a safe place to stay for the time being.

00:10:16: Ludmilla could have done the same, she could've moved to Poland.

00:10:20: She owns land there but...she didn't want too!

00:10:23: She sees it as her duty To be there For The Families As A Kindergarten Teacher.

00:10:29: In addition..She makes candles and camouflage nets For The Soldiers At The Front And Visits The Wounded in Hospital All To Help And To Show Hope & Confidence that the war will be over soon.

00:10:44: What is happening with Russia's War of Aggression in Ukraine has long since become a matter of concern for Europe, too – it is about upholding human rights democracy and not least security.

00:11:00: Since US President Donald Trump drastically cut U.S arms supplies to Ukraine last summer this has served as further wake-up call for Europe to reflect on its geopolitical strategy.

00:11:13: What this is all about, it's next up on WeWorkEurope.

00:11:47: the European Centre for Worker's Questions, which receives financial support from The European Union.

00:11:54: This podcast was narrated by me, Rebecca Sharp.

00:11:58: Script and production by Escucha Audio Identity.