The 10th Mental Health Center of the Nationwide RETURNING Network Opens in Ivano-Frankivsk

The nationwide network of mental health centers RETURNING (ukr.ПОВЕРНЕННЯ) has expanded, with its tenth center now opening in Ivano-Frankivsk. The RETURNING project was founded by Victor Pinchuk and Olena Pinchuk to support the mental health of Ukraine’s service members, veterans, and their family members who have experienced the psychological consequences of the war caused by Russia’s aggression.

Each year, the Ivano-Frankivsk center will be able to provide professional, free psychological support to more than 4,000 service members, veterans, and members of their families.

The RETURNING project demonstrates a successful public–private partnership in which philanthropists create modern, comfortable, and barrier-free mental health centers within public medical institutions. The opening of the network’s 10th center responds to the urgent need for accessible, high-quality, and professional psychological care for service members, veterans, and their families.

Victor Pinchuk, founder of the RETURNING project, said:
“Psychological rehabilitation is far more complex than it may seem, because millions of people need psychological support. Many of us may not yet realize it, but over time almost everyone will require psychological rehabilitation. Our absolute focus within the RETURNING network is on service members, veterans, and their families. It is important that they learn about these centers, understand their value, and believe in the effectiveness of this support. That is why we visit the centers, talk to people, see what works well and where there are shortcomings—and just as importantly, speak about this publicly.”

The RETURNING center has been designed in line with barrier-free principles. Wide doorways, the absence of thresholds, medical-grade non-slip flooring, and inclusive restrooms adapted for wheelchair users ensure physical accessibility and comfort for visitors with different needs.

A core value of the center and of the entire RETURNING network is psychological inclusivity. The space, communication, and therapeutic approaches are structured so that every person—regardless of background, condition, or depth of trauma—can feel safe and speak about difficult experiences without fear of judgment or evaluation.

The Ivano-Frankivsk RETURNING center is designed for comprehensive care and includes three specialists’ offices for individual and family psychosocial and psychiatric support, a group therapy room, a two-bed day-care unit with medical electric multifunctional beds and an inclusive bathroom, a treatment room, a doctors’ office, a reception area with a waiting space for patients, and inclusive restrooms. The entire environment is designed to reduce stress, build trust, and support the psychological recovery process.

The RETURNING mental health center is equipped with all necessary equipment, technology, and therapeutic tools for working with the consequences of trauma. This includes computer equipment with licensed software, a multimedia projector and screen, laptops for specialists, the Shiftwave System (USA) for stress management and psychological relaxation, EMDR therapy tools, psychological board games, metaphorical associative cards, art therapy materials, tactile and sensory materials, yoga mats, and other resources that support recovery.

The center operates with a multidisciplinary team consisting of two psychiatrists, two clinical psychologists, two practical psychologists, a nurse, a registrar, and a veteran support specialist. This model ensures a comprehensive approach that addresses the clinical, psychological, and social needs of each person.

Mariia Matskiv, Head of the RETURNING Center in Ivano-Frankivsk, noted:
“The opening of the RETURNING mental health center is a step toward a society that recognizes mental well-being as a key component of national resilience, especially in times of war. Today, psychological support is not supplementary—it is critically necessary for service members and their families who live under prolonged stress and uncertainty. The center was created as a safe, patient-centered space where specialists work with respect for each person’s experience, recovery pace, and real needs.”

The RETURNING mental health center provides support to people experiencing the effects of stress, anxiety and depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosomatic symptoms, and difficulties adapting to civilian life. Its work is based on evidence-based approaches, with particular attention to each person’s pace, sense of safety, and the gradual restoration of psychological resilience.

An important component of the RETURNING project is its educational track, aimed at the systemic development of Ukraine’s mental health sector. In cooperation with Ukrainian and international experts, the project implements modern training programs for professionals, including practical trainings, workshops, and supervision based on evidence-based methods such as EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma-focused therapy. This educational track is implemented in partnership with leading Ukrainian and international institutions, ensuring consistency of approaches and long-term impact.

The nationwide network of RETURNING mental health centers is already operating in Dnipro, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kropyvnytskyi, Lutsk, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernihiv, and continues to expand. All centers operate within public medical institutions and provide free outpatient care to service members, veterans, and their families.

At the first stage of the project, its founders—Victor and Olena Pinchuk—plan to establish 25 RETURNING centers across Ukraine, which will be able to support more than 100,000 service members, veterans, and family members each year.

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