Ukraine war: Mental health crisis grows in shattered country

A group of Ukrainian women who have lost their husbands or sons describe seeking solace and closure in therapeutic painting classes.

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Six months later, he was killed as Ukrainian forces went on a counter-offensive in the region of Kherson – making Maria one of the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have lost loved ones in the war.

To cope with her grief, Maria has been attending therapy classes organised by a volunteer group called Alive. True Love Stories.

In the sessions, the widows and mothers of fallen fighters express their feelings, and seek solace and closure by painting. They then accompany their paintings with written stories of their love.

Maria says that painting helps externalise and process memories and moments that people can be afraid to re-live.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20mn1z3vm6o

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