The fourth RETURNING mental health center opens in Kropyvnytskyi

A new mental health center for service members, veterans, and their families has opened in Kropyvnytskyi. This is the fourth facility of the all-Ukrainian RETURNING (ukr. ПОВЕРНЕННЯ) network, founded by Victor and Olena Pinchuk to support those who have suffered psychological trauma as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Every year, more than 4,000 Defenders of Ukraine and their family members will be able to receive high-quality psychological support at the Kropyvnytskyi RETURNING Center.

The RETURNING project demonstrates a successful partnership between the private sector and the state — when philanthropists establish mental health centers on the basis of public medical institutions. The project financed a major renovation of part of one of Kropyvnytskyi’s leading hospitals and created a modern, comfortable, and accessible space where military personnel, veterans, and their families will receive comprehensive psychological support.

“Quality psychological assistance for soldiers and their families begins with professionals who are constantly developing. That’s why, while building the nationwide RETURNING mental health network, we focus not only on creating modern centers but also on the systematic professional growth of specialists. As of the end of October 2025, more than 60 educational events have been held in cooperation with Ukrainian and international experts. Our goal is to introduce the highest standards of mental health care in Ukraine for those who have lived through the consequences of war,” said Svitlana Hrytsenko, Head of the RETURNING project.

The new center includes three consultation rooms for individual and family therapy, a group therapy room, a two-bed day-care ward equipped with medical electric multifunctional beds, a treatment room, staff room, personnel rest area, storage, cloakroom, reception, and accessible bathrooms.

The center is fully equipped — from computer hardware and a multimedia projector to a Shiftwave System (USA) for stress relief and relaxation. It also features materials for art therapy, board games, yoga equipment, and a professional library on psychology and psychotherapy.

At the Kropyvnytskyi RETURNING Center, a multidisciplinary team works with visitors, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, nurses, and, when needed, case managers, social workers, and veteran support specialists. This approach ensures comprehensive assistance — from initial consultations to long-term therapy and social reintegration.

“Our priority is to see a person behind every request, not a diagnosis. At the RETURNING Center, we create a space where one can feel safe and trusted from the very first minutes. There is no stigma and no judgment here — only acceptance, support, and professional care. We respect every individual’s privacy, because true recovery begins with respect for personal boundaries,” said Antonina Kurinna, Head of the RETURNING Mental Health Center in Kropyvnytskyi.

Specialists at the center apply effective approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy, trauma-focused therapy, stabilization and self-regulation techniques, group therapy, and crisis counseling. Special attention is given to creating a safe environment, fostering empathy, and gradually restoring patients’ psychological resilience.

The RETURNING mental health centers provide free assistance to service members, veterans, and their families. In the first stage of the RETURNING project, 20–25 centers are planned to open across Ukraine. Each year, they will be able to provide professional support to more than 100,000 soldiers and their family members.