Donate to ensure that Ukraine’s bravest don’t face their internal battles alone.
As Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine rages on for nearly the third year, the psychological toll of Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression continues to mount. Recent data reveals a staggering reality: between 60-80% of Ukrainians who witness battlefield deaths develop acute trauma symptoms. Behind these numbers are real people – brave defenders who now face a battle that doesn’t end when the shooting stops. The situation is particularly dire for young Ukrainians aged 18-24, who show higher rates of depression and trauma responses. Many suffer in silence, with 12-20% developing PTSD but choosing not to seek help due to stigma and fears about their military careers. This reluctance to seek support – driven by the same warrior spirit that makes them such formidable defenders – threatens to deepen the crisis.
The impact extends far beyond individual suffering. Ukrainian veterans experience anxiety and major depressive disorders at twice the rate of civilians, with substance use disorders occurring 2.3 times more frequently. These challenges don’t just affect the veterans – they ripple through families, communities, and the nation’s rebuilding ability. Experts predict that without intervention, Ukraine’s population could age 10-15 years faster than expected due to war-related stress, with diseases typically associated with older age appearing a decade earlier than usual. This presents an immediate crisis and a long-term challenge for Ukraine’s recovery and resilience.
Through the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, our “Even the Brave Struggle” campaign, running until April 6th, 2025, will directly support mental health programs, rehabilitation services, and other essential humanitarian assistance for veterans and civilians affected by the war. The Ukrainian Ministry of Health projects that over 15 million Ukrainians will require psychological support, with veterans and service members facing the most acute challenges. Between 20-40% of these defenders require immediate psychological intervention, yet the current system can only provide one mental health professional for every 400-500 service members.
Your contribution to the “Even the Brave Struggle” campaign directly supports the expansion of mental health services for Ukrainians. While international standards recommend one mental health professional for every 70-90 service members, Ukraine’s current resources fall far short. With your help, we can bridge this gap and ensure Ukrainian veterans and civilians receive the care they’ve earned through their sacrifice. The people of Ukraine have shown incredible courage in protecting their homeland.
Now it’s our turn to stand with them as they face the invisible wounds of war. Your support will provide:
- Mental health services for veterans and civilians
- Rehabilitation programs to aid recovery and reintegration
- Essential humanitarian assistance to war-affected communities
When we say Even the Brave Struggle, we acknowledge that seeking help isn’t a weakness – it’s another form of courage. Your donation helps ensure that Ukraine’s bravest don’t face their internal battles alone.
Background
CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.