TNMU Concludes Seminar Series “Working with People Affected by War” for Clergy

War affects everyone—soldiers, their families, displaced persons, volunteers, and society as a whole. In these challenging times, people seek support not only from psychologists but also from clergy. Often, they are the first to whom individuals turn in times of grief, loss, or anxiety. Clergy provide emotional support to military families, assist veterans in adapting to civilian life, and listen to those who have lost loved ones or are awaiting news of them. Therefore, it is crucial for spiritual leaders to have not only pastoral experience but also an understanding of psychological processes and methods of crisis support.

Recognizing these challenges, the TNMU Center for Mental Health organized a seminar series titled “Working with People Affected by War”. The program was specially designed for clergy who encounter the consequences of war in their pastoral work and seek to provide effective assistance to their congregants.

The training ran from February 10 to March 10, 2025, covering 10 hours of lectures and practical sessions. The seminars featured speakers Olena Venher, Yuriy Mysula, Volodymyr Bilous, and Olha Lyuta. The program addressed the following topics:
Stress and Its Consequences
Methods for Overcoming Stressful Situations
Communication with Military Personnel
Psychological Support for Families of Fallen Soldiers
Supporting Families of Captured Military Personnel
Spiritual and Psychological Support for Those with Missing Relatives
Spiritual and Psychological Aspects of Life and Its Values
Self-Help Techniques

Participants not only gained theoretical knowledge but also discussed real-life situations encountered in their pastoral practice. This deepened their understanding of the psychological aspects of stress, trauma, and grief, while also helping them develop skills for sensitive communication with those experiencing profound loss.

At the end of the course, all participants received certificates, issued by I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University.

The completion of this course marks a significant step in preparing clergy to provide high-quality psychological support to those who need it most. We sincerely thank all participants for their openness to new knowledge and their dedication to helping their congregants in life’s most difficult moments.