Ukrainian Action Establishes PTSD Rehab Program for Ukrainian Veterans
2 Apr 2024
Ukrainian Action Establishes PTSD Rehab Program for Ukrainian Veterans
The Ukrainian Action Heroes Rehabilitation Program treats veterans in Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains
Two-week program centers on instruction in skiing and snowboarding, and provides psychological support through group therapy activities, as well as daily mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga and sauna.
Inaugural winter program enabled 20 Ukrainian veterans suffering from PTSD to attend in February and March 2024.
LONDON—2 April 2024—Ukrainian Action, the UK charity and U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the survival and recovery of Ukraine, has created a rehabilitation program for Ukrainian war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian Action Heroes (UAH) program offers two weeks in Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains, where veterans receive instruction in skiing and snowboarding. Veterans receive psychological support through group therapy and mindfulness activities including meditation, yoga and sauna.
“Skiing is freedom,” said Jeffrey Hartman, Ukrainian Action co-founder and CEO. “Learning to ski can be a euphoric and therapeutic pathway to recovery from mental trauma. “The serenity of the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains is a perfect place to rest and rehabilitate. The UA Heroes program offers the gift of skiing and mindfulness tools to those heroes who experienced mental and physical traumas while defending their country.”
The first three cohorts totaled 20 veterans who attended the program in February and March.
“Never in my life did I think I would learn to ski,” said Ihor, a Ukrainian Action Hero. “This is the first time in two years that I haven’t heard the daily sounds of war. I am grateful for this experience.”
Skiing and snowboarding require balance, mindfulness and focus—all of which can help to improve cognitive function and reduce stress. The feeling of accomplishment that comes with learning a new skill or mastering a difficult run can also boost self-esteem and confidence.
Studies show that sports and exercise, like skiing and snowboarding, lower levels of stress and improve mood. This includes feeling more content, calm, awake, enthusiastic, positive and alert. Exercise reduces stress hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol while boosting endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.
Regular physical activity can ease, as well as reduce the risk of developing, depression and anxiety, according to the American Psychological Association. Skiing and snowboarding also yield cardiovascular benefits and improve brain function.
But there are other benefits that cannot be quantified. Kostya, another Ukrainian Action Hero, explained, “during our time here I could almost forget about the war for awhile, and finally relax for the first time. This is a great program.”
The Birth of Ukrainian Action
Launched days after Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, by Hartman, his Ukrainian-born wife Natasha, and ice hockey teammate Matthew Morgan, Ukrainian Action has raised over $4 million USD and donated more than 250 vehicles and hundreds of pallets of physical humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. Convoys depart from London to Ukraine an average of every two weeks during the two years since the beginning of the full scale invasion. Ukrainian Action is a network of 40 volunteer members, more than 300 volunteer drivers and circa 1,000 donors.
But it began with Hartman and Morgan buying two pickup trucks, then driving to Ukraine to donate them to Hartman’s long-time friends who were under Russian attack.
What differentiates Ukrainian Action from other Ukraine-relief organizations is the on-the-ground expertise and local knowledge possessed by Hartman and his Ukrainian colleagues and partners. They ensure that 100% of what they supply to Ukrainian people fills a specific need, such as generators for public institutions, computers for schools or art supplies and food for orphanages. All donations to the volunteer-run Ukrainian Action go directly to Ukrainians in Ukraine.
Hartman is able to run the tightest of ships due to the lasting friendships he made two decades ago when he was a Peace Corps volunteer in western Ukraine. They let him know what they require. Hartman and the Ukrainian Action team deliver.
Ukrainian Action operates in full transparency so donors to the cause feel connected to the endeavor. Many donors also volunteer to drive vehicles in UA’s humanitarian aid convoys from London. People may follow convoy shipments and progress through the organization’s Instagram account.
How to help
To donate or volunteer, please visit www.ukrainianaction.com. To buy Ukrainian Action merchandise to support the relief effort, please the organization’s online store. All profits go to support the delivery of trucks and materials to Ukraine. To follow Ukrainian Action on its social media accounts, please visit its Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
About Ukrainian Action
Headquartered in London, Ukrainian Action is a UK charity and U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the survival and recovery of Ukraine. Co-founded days after Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, by CEO Jeffrey Hartman, his Ukrainian-born wife Natasha and Matthew Morgan, Ukrainian Action has raised over $4 million USD and donated more than 250 vehicles and hundreds of pallets of physical humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.. The organization is a network of 40 volunteer members, more than 300 volunteer drivers and circa 1,000 donors. Ukrainian Action is registered with the United Kingdom Charity Commission with UK Registered Charity Number 1202133, and is a U.S. tax-exempt public charity under 501(c)(3): FEIN 88-1173971. All donations from individual U.S. taxpayers are tax-deductible. To learn more, please visit: www.ukrainianaction.com.
Media contact
Jeffrey Hartman
Co-founder and CEO
