I have seen this before in other nations enduring conflict: people preserve continuity by compartmentalizing. They create pockets of normalcy to shield their families, their children, and themselves from the constant strain of danger. Ukrainians do the same. They cling to routines not because they are blind to what is happening, but because this is how life goes on under extraordinary circumstances.

During the day, life unfolded with striking steadiness. Shops were open, schools held classes, and cafés filled with conversations. Nothing closed. War was present, but it did not dictate the cadence of daily life. People pressed on with remarkable resolve, refusing to let conflict consume their hours.

At night, however, the balance shifted. Air raid warnings pierced the darkness. Ambulance sirens cut through the silence. The curfew, from midnight to 5 AM, made those sounds echo loudly, a stark reminder of vulnerability as streets fell quiet. This contrast, between calm days and anxious nights, was a reminder that compartmentalizing is not the same as escaping. Shutting out “the other reality” allows life to go on, but it exacts a quiet toll. Beneath the surface of resilience, the weight of “what if” is relentless.

I recall when Ukraine’s major roads were narrow and potholed, marked by unofficial checkpoints and police randomly checking documents. Over time, they became modern highways, a symbol of progress and a nation moving forward. Russia’s invasion reversed that progress overnight. What had been a country pressing ahead was thrust back into a state of survival.

Before the war, Ukrainians knew Volodymyr Zelensky as the star of Servant of the People, a television satire in which a schoolteacher rants about corruption and becomes an unlikely president. It was comedy, but with an edge of truth. Today, in a cruel twist of fate, that fiction became prophecy. Zelensky is no longer acting out politics; he is leading a nation through crisis and resilience.

As I walked the streets this year, I noticed how persistence and resilience stand side by side. Markets were crowded with produce, yet older residents stood nearby, selling small baskets from their gardens to make ends meet. Soviet-era uniforms lay for sale on blankets placed on sidewalks, while new BMWs sped past rattling Soviet-era buses. In town squares, there were endless billboards featuring photographs of fallen soldiers, each bearing a QR code that linked to their stories. Schools mounted plaques on building walls to honor graduates who died in battle. I paused as a funeral procession passed, an ambulance leading with a soldier’s photograph in the windshield, shopkeepers leaving their stores to stand in silence. Grief is not an occasional occurrence here. It is part of the rhythm of life.

Living in this reality has unleashed a mental health crisis. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, the number of people seeking psychological help in 2024 has more than doubled compared to the previous year. Antidepressant sales have surged nearly 50 percent since 2021. A Lancet study reports that more than half of Ukrainians, including refugees, live with PTSD. Twenty-one percent struggle with severe anxiety. Eighteen percent live with constant stress. And in 2023, more than one in four reported feeling depressed or very sad, up sharply from before the invasion.

These figures are not abstractions. They are lived experiences. Teachers steady students while suppressing their own fears. Parents comfort children when sirens interrupt dinner. Shopkeepers greet customers with smiles while wondering whether loved ones will return from the front. This is the cost of war: invisible wounds carried behind the routines of daily life.

Remember People’s Stories

Western headlines are increasingly focused on politics, with questions about whether U.S. and EU leaders will sustain aid, how long support for Zelensky will last, and what future negotiations might bring. These debates matter. But when politics dominates the narrative, the human story – our emotional connection – risks fading from view. The United Nations recently passed a resolution recognizing “the profound and long-lasting effects on the mental health of people, in particular children.” This acknowledgment is important, but it is not enough. Policies and political platitudes cannot replace storytelling.

The war’s reach was evident even at the border. My crossing into Moldova took five hours.  Two years ago, it was 30 minutes. Officials pried into spare tire hubs, emptied luggage, and rechecked passports repeatedly. For me, it was an inconvenience. For Ukrainian men between 18 and 60, it was absolute – they cannot leave. Guards studied every face, determined to grab draft dodgers. War demands not only weapons, but people.

Moldova itself carries the strain. Refugees continue to arrive, its economy is stretched, and its stability depends in no small measure on Ukraine’s endurance. Trauma does not stop at borders; it ripples outward, reshaping the region.

What impressed me most was the people’s adaptation. Ukraine is doing more than enduring; it is investing in its future. I saw new multilingual historic heritage signs supported by EU restoration funding, featuring markers that honor the intertwined contributions of Ukrainians, Poles, and Jews. Even if history is more complicated than the inscriptions suggest, these symbols point toward unity. They reflect a nation determined to acknowledge its difficult past while striving to shape a different tomorrow.

That is what struck me most this year. Ukraine is not allowing the conflict to dominate its aspirations. While global headlines debate the scale and length of Western support, Ukrainians are already laying the foundations for what comes next. Their resilience is not simply about surviving the present; it is about declaring that there will be a future, and they will build it.

Ukraine is more than a battlefield. It is a nation of teachers, farmers, doctors, and entrepreneurs who rise each morning to live, to work and build. The war, directed mainly at Kyiv and the East, has scarred Ukraine. It has not broken this nation. Instead, it has revealed a strength of spirit that unites remembrance with renewal.

That is why their stories must remain on our front pages, not only to remember their sacrifices, but also to honor their hope. Ukraine’s struggle is not just for sovereignty, but for the promise that even in the hardest of times, a nation can adapt, unite, and invest in a future worth both believing in and living.

The post Ukraine: Worn Hearts, Steeled Resolve appeared first on Medika Life.

As winter approaches, the effects of the conflict will push Ukraine’s health infrastructure to the brink. With public works systems attacked, water supply systems damaged, food chains disrupted, and heating systems in disrepair, Ukrainians must contend with dual dangers — physical wounds and a looming public health catastrophe.

A Broken Health System

In addition to its borders, Ukraine’s health system is also under siege. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1,000 health facilities have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict began in 2022. Hospitals struggle to operate with limited resources, a shortage of medical supplies, and overburdened staff. The lack of access to essential medicines, compounded by interrupted supply chains, means that essential health services are increasingly inaccessible to millions.

Since the war began, the Ukrainian population’s health needs have changed dramatically. War injuries, trauma, and mental health conditions are on the rise, while chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer — conditions that require regular treatment and medication — go unchecked and untreated. Patients are unable to receive the care they need while doctors are stretched thin, tending to the war-wounded, displaced, and people with long-standing health concerns. Under the best conditions, sick people get sicker when they lack access to care. What happens when care becomes nonexistent?

The public health toll is expected to skyrocket without access to quality care. The indirect consequences of this war — poor sanitation and lack of heating — add to Ukraine’s already precarious health situation, leaving millions vulnerable to illness and preventable deaths.

Public Works Under Siege

War doesn’t just target people — it targets infrastructure. Public works, the backbone of daily life, have been severely compromised. Cities across Ukraine — particularly on the Eastern front — have suffered the bombing of power stations, water treatment plants, and sewage systems. The assault on infrastructure isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a public health time bomb.

Water quality, in particular, is a growing concern. Contaminated water sources have led to an increase in waterborne diseases, including dysentery, which are particularly threatening to the elderly and the young. Clean drinking water is becoming scarce in many regions, forcing civilians to resort to unsafe alternatives. The WHO has already warned of the potential for large-scale outbreaks if the water supply continues to degrade.

With sanitation systems destroyed, the spread of disease becomes even more likely. Waste disposal has been disrupted, and raw sewage contaminates streets and water systems in many areas. The health risks are immense, especially for children and those with weakened immune systems.

Food Supply: The Silent Hunger Crisis

War may not always bring immediate famine but plants the seeds of a silent hunger crisis. Ukraine, the so-called “breadbasket of Europe,” has become a nation where food insecurity is a growing threat. The conflict has upended agricultural production, destroyed farmlands, and blocked essential transportation routes, making it nearly impossible for many to access fresh food.

International relief organizations have warned that the food supply chain is on the verge of collapse. Farmers have abandoned their fields, both out of fear for their lives and because they are called to serve and defend. Crops have been left to rot, and livestock has been slaughtered prematurely due to a lack of resources to care for them. As food prices soar, more families cannot afford even basic staples.

Malnutrition is a natural and present danger, particularly for children. Without proper nutrition, growth and cognitive development are stunted, leaving long-term scars on the next generation. As winter approaches, the lack of food and energy shortages will only exacerbate this crisis, pushing more civilians into hunger and despair.

Meanwhile, the destruction of the Ukrainian agricultural sector has a ripple effect on global food security. Ukraine is a major exporter of grains and other essential food products. The disruption of these exports contributes to rising food prices and shortages worldwide, particularly in emerging nations that rely heavily on Ukrainian imports.

The Winter Threat: No Heat, No Shelter

In Ukraine, winter is not just a season — it can be a test of survival. For millions, the coming months will be defined by the struggle to stay warm in a country where the infrastructure that supports heating has been obliterated. With power plants targeted and fuel supplies dwindling, many Ukrainians will be forced to endure sub-zero temperatures without adequate heating or shelter.

The loss of heating is not just uncomfortable — it’s unbearable and deadly. Hypothermia, respiratory illnesses, and other cold-related conditions pose a significant threat. Hospitals, already overburdened with war casualties, may soon face a surge in patients suffering from the cold.

The mental health toll of enduring another freezing winter in a war zone cannot be understated. The constant strain of survival and the physical challenges of the cold erode millions’ emotional resilience. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are already widespread, and the coming winter will only deepen these psychological wounds.

Beyond the Battlefield: The Global Impact

While the immediate suffering is concentrated mainly in Eastern Ukraine, the war’s health implications extend far beyond its borders. The displacement of millions of Ukrainians has led to one of the most significant refugee crises in recent history, with neighboring countries — Poland, Romania, and Moldova — bearing the brunt of this humanitarian wave. Moldova, perhaps the poorest nation in Europe, has demonstrated how kindness and empathy are part of the healing process, going beyond merely opening its borders. It has made room in schools and public buildings to house, clothe, and educate new residents.

Refugees face a host of health challenges in their new environments, from urgent access to healthcare to the anxiety of overcrowded shelters. Despite best efforts, host countries struggle to provide adequate services to these displaced populations, putting further strain on their public health systems.

In addition, the war is exacerbating existing health crises globally, such as the COVID-19 variants. Resources and attention have been diverted to the conflict, undermining efforts to combat other health emergencies. The war’s strain on the global economy is also limiting the capacity of international organizations to provide aid, leaving millions in Ukraine and beyond in dire need of support.

A Call for Urgent Action

The war in Ukraine is more than a geopolitical conflict — it’s a humanitarian disaster with profound health consequences. As the world watches, the health of millions hangs in the balance. The international community must act swiftly to provide the resources and support necessary to prevent further loss of life — medicines, warm clothes, temporary shelters, and mental health support.

Humanitarian aid is desperately needed to repair the health infrastructure, restore clean water supplies, and ensure access to food and heating. Governments, NGOs, and private sector organizations must work together to deliver life-saving assistance before the full impact of winter sets in.

This war has shown us that health is not only a question of access to hospitals and doctors — it is intertwined with every aspect of life. From public works to food systems to mental health, the well-being of the nation’s civilians is inextricably linked to its survival. Beyond discussions of continued support for defense, health access must be prioritized. Lives are at stake, and time is running out as winter approaches.

The post The Ripple Effect of War: Conflict is Shattering the Ukrainian Public Health System appeared first on Medika Life.

No Military Value – Yet Still Struck by Missiles

Each year, I head to a small city of 90,000 residents called Uman– a community between Kyiv and Odesa. – two cities hard hit continuously by Russian targeting of civilian populations and the destruction of hospitals and schools. I’ve often written about my reasons for going to this distant town. This year, the motivation to share is different. Ukraine is in the second year of defending itself against a formidable aggressor in Russia. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the merciless bombing of Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.

Uman has no military bases, yet Russian missiles have targeted this historic city. On April 28th, toward the end of the nighttime curfew, Russia launched more than 20 long-range missiles against residential buildings in Uman. Russia claims it was “aiming for the reserve units and used high-precision weapons” – but no soldiers were counted among the scores of civilians killed and wounded. There are no military or otherwise strategic targets within the city. Like the war, this attack was launched without rhyme or reason.

Not New to War and its Civilian Impact

I’m not new to war. I served for six years as a paratrooper and combat medic. I’ve seen how constant exposure to violence and desperate displacement impacts civilians. I’ve seen firsthand classic images of people pushing wagons with salvaged household possessions—mothers carrying their babies to safety. I’ve even seen the fronts of buildings peeled off, creating a dollhouse effect, and watched families in these apartments continue daily routines in this surreal setting.

Whenever I had time and permission – the latter always given – I joined other medics entering refugee camps to treat civilians – often women and children. Faces of gratitude are still etched in my thoughts. Decades afterward, those images are vivid.

Many years later and in Ukraine, I remain confused and troubled at how the world continues to let Russia brutally attack Ukrainian cities and issue outrageous statements that its targets are military and not civilian. In Uman, I saw firsthand that these missives are bald-faced lies.

When Shells Stop Raining – the Sewage Flows in the Streets

One evening, leaving a dinner gathering, I thought there had been a heavy downpour that escaped my notice while indoors. The main street had become a fast-flowing river – something I’d seen before. But the sidewalks were completely dry. This wasn’t rain runoff, and the smell confirmed it. This was backed-up sewage running down the street.

During my five-day visit, there were ample indicators of infrastructure buckling under wartime stress. The power was unpredictable. Streets were damaged. Refuse piled high. And all the while, air raid sirens warn citizens of risks – even in the still quiet that prevailed. People are on edge.

But I also saw remarkable resilience. The central marketplace was teeming with shoppers picking choice fruits and vegetables. Shopping bags were printed with words of encouragement – “Ukraine –Be strong and courageous.” The coffee shops were filled. As they have for years, people again welcomed me and were thrilled to see that the world stands with Ukraine and its struggle as a developing democracy to press forward. One man hugged me and said: “America,” – reflecting an appreciation for continued generosity.

War and Public Health Intersect

What is the impact of people fleeing, leaving behind loved ones, and being exiled, not knowing when it will be safe to return or if they’ll be able to at all? In these instances, refugees and internally displaced persons often first live in temporary housing with unsanitary conditions, making them susceptible to illnesses that range from flu to COVID-19. I helped people with primary health concerns resulting from stress and sanitary conditions.

While many men are mobilized or supporting the defense infrastructure, displacement disrupts access to education and care, particularly for women and children, contributing to long-term health disparities. In nearby Moldova, where I visited during the past two years on my way to and from Ukraine, I marvel at how a small nation – called Europe’s poorest – opens its borders and houses people not in tents but rather by ordinary citizens throwing open the doors to their homes. Places of worship have become free food centers for the hungry. I saw the power of kindness become an operational governmental guide and policy as Moldovan citizens rallied to help their refugee neighbors.

Physical and Mental Health Casualties

How will we measure and address the mental health needs of the civilian population? They are not warriors trained to fight. But they are certainly in the thick of a different battle. Hospitals and clinics are targeted and damaged, and healthcare workers are forced to flee or have joined troops at the frontlines. This lack of access and limited availability of medical care translates into diminished health of people whose conditions might otherwise be manageable in normal circumstances.

The news media may worry that their readers and viewers are growing weary of this war—ratings and viewership rule. In response to the numbers, they move on to other topics. That plays into the hands of the aggressor. That’s what Russia hopes for –the world’s attention will turn elsewhere, and Ukraine’s appetite for perseverance will wane, securing a dictated unjust victory.

Apathy is the Aggressor’s Ally

As my friend and teacher, Nobel Prize recipient, the late Elie Wiesel, said in his “Perils of Indifference” White House remarks: “The opposite of love is not hatred, it’s indifference… Even hatred, at times, may elicit a response. You fight it. You denounce it. You disarm it. Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end.”

While I have returned from Ukraine, memories are vivid and will be shared. As I reflect on this visit and compare it to my others, I am already thinking about my next journey and the friendly faces that welcome me each time. I hope and pray they are safe.

For my part and for whatever difference I can make, I refuse to give in to apathy. The human cost has been and is too high. A just and enduring peace must be the outcome.

The post People Still Travel to Wartime Ukraine – I’m Among Those Who Do appeared first on Medika Life.

Initially, comfort is unnoticed until the grating brutality and rawness of killing and the spilling of blood become streams on the land that comfort becomes discomfort for us. Then we undergo something unexpected — numbness to it. “People exposed to media violence become ‘comfortably numb’ to the pain and suffering of others….”

We are thousands of miles away from the brutality, the inhumanity, and the illogical action of senseless killing. Yet, we watch it night after night until it begins to blunt our emotions to its horror. The tamping down of emotion and the increase in acceptance result from our intensely available, always-on media coverage. But it became evident before the internet reached its tentacles into our homes during the Vietnam War.

Night after night, we saw the bombings, the flames of whole villages turned into ashes, and screaming residents running down the street in flames. The killing of citizens, too, was captured for our viewing as the gun was placed near a man’s temple and the trigger pulled. How many times do we need to see this incredible violence before our mind goes into a form of protection — numbness to it?

Vietnam became known as “The Television War,” and battles were streamed into our comfortable evenings ceaselessly. Television and film have proven to be effective media to convey messages, and TV press coverage has increasingly become the medium of choice for most citizens. Whether choosing a network for its political leanings or its assertion of being fair and balanced in its coverage, we are still faced with emotion; how much are we affected by it, and how much does it influence us.

Over the years, since the inception of the cathode ray tube and the introduction of TV into homes worldwide, researchers have analyzed how viewers watched, but mainly they were interested in children. We’ve seen how children’s shows influence their willingness to watch shows like “Sesame Street,” but its ability to raise their I.Q. scores. Television is a powerful force.

The emotional numbness in TV viewers has been investigated by several researchers who have found that prolonged coverage of horrific situations, such as the Vietnam War, produces habituation where there are less intense reactions to these images. The more the images are displayed and the longer this goes on, the less emotional reaction is experienced by viewers. There has also been a turnover from news to infotainment that apparently is meant to justify the coverage.

As one research paper indicated, nightly news-watchers sometimes watch as many as five terrorism stories in a row. The opinion of violence researchers that coverage of the 9/11 attacks increased the awareness of terrorism, but how emotional they were about this material rather than the topic of terrorism itself is unclear. Research from London related to the frequent attacks by the Irish Republican Army indicated this may have been responsible for emotional numbing once an attack took place in London.

Seemingly contradictory, one positive result has come out of it; extensive coverage of this type decreases the terrorist’s intimidation of their intended enemies. But is that why people continue to watch this coverage so regularly? Do viewers want information, or do they want to steel themselves in the event of an attack and, possibly, receive tidbits on how to protect themselves, how to anticipate a terror attack, and what to do if they have some concerns about an attack?

Media is intended to provide citizens with information about their world, but it also brings into their homes emotions that they may not wish to experience in person. Who would want to stand by and watch someone be executed? In fact, watching such actions on TV creates a watcher who is powerless to do anything.

Curiously, there is an element in this war coverage that is essential in one form of therapy espoused by Joseph Wolpe. Wolpe’s idea of systematic desensitization led directly to reciprocal inhibition and then to exposure therapy. Simply put, it means that you cannot be both aroused emotionally (gauged by muscle strain) and relaxed simultaneously. Consider this situation of war coverage on television.

People watch this coverage in the comfort of their living rooms or other rooms of their homes, and in that environment of comfort and relaxation, they are exposed to the horrors of warfare. Wolpe’s idea for treating people with serious anxiety disorders depended on constant exposure, albeit from low levels to higher ones, to upsetting stimuli such as pictures of warfare or injured persons. He didn’t use warfare, but we can substitute it in this instance.

The more the person is exposed, gradually, to the stimulus of war, the less likely they are to be aroused emotionally by it. It creates, in effect, the feeling that it is no longer extraordinary and, I venture to say, rather prosaic in nature. Can war ever be prosaic? Of course not, but we can see that we can be numbed emotionally to it if we are continually exposed to these violent images.

The media, therefore, are in some incredible manner, providing us with the means to tolerate bringing warfare into our lives without the emotion that should be attached to it. How should we view this? Certainly, they are not altruistic in this, and, in fact, we know the media credo is, “If it bleeds, it leads.”

The more horrendous and outrageous what we see increases the ratings for the media and, as a result, their income. How can they maintain our attention? Increase the horror and break through the existing numbness.

Why do we watch this horror show? The researchers have provided the answers; once numbed by it, you can watch yet again and tell yourself that it’s in the interest of maintaining your knowledge of world events.

Ask yourself why people watch horror movies. Do you know? Do people enjoy being frightened and accepting the outrageous idea of walking dead or zombies?

Do we want the stimulation to counter the numbness that TV may have created? Is Hannibal Lecter someone we enjoy in some way? There is sensation-seeking behavior that can be satisfied in some viewers, and there is also safety in knowing we can’t be touched by the creatures.

The most widely studied trait in the research on horror is sensation seeking. According to Zuckerman, sensation seeking is the ‘seeking of varied, novel, complex and intense sensations and experiences, and the willingness to take physical, social, legal and financial risks for the sake of such experiences.’

In this regard, sensation seeking is in the service of relieving boredom, and horror films may satisfy that need. Does watching war coverage do the same? This is a good question for researchers to probe.

The post If Agony and Numbness From Media War Coverage Generate Mental Aching, Why Watch? appeared first on Medika Life.

While we should not have to think about such things, the recent happenings in Ukraine have me thinking about what I would do if I ever found myself in the vicinity of a nuclear explosion.

You may have 30 minutes or less to respond. What is your move? Nuclear explosions can result in immense damage. A nuclear weapon uses a nuclear reaction to create an explosion.

The nuclear device might be small enough to be carried by an individual, or a weapon can carry it. As you think about what you would do, remember to focus on physical damage from structures such as the windows around you. Then, you need to deal with radiation exposure.

Nuclear explosion: First, get inside (and stay there)

You may not have much warning, perhaps from a few to 15 or 20 minutes. Let’s look at some recommendations from the government of the United States:Nuclear ExplosionLearn how to prepare for, stay safe during, and be safe after a nuclear explosion. Nuclear explosions can cause…www.ready.gov.

Fallout

The few hours following detonation is the most dangerous period, at least in terms of radiation exposure. You may have enough time to prevent significant exposure by following these essential guides:

Get into the nearest building to lower your radiation exposure, preferably in a structure made of brick or concrete. Head to the basement or middle of the building if you can.

The government recommends wearing a mask (for those over two years) if you are with individuals who are not members of your household. Socially distance by at least six feet from non-household members.

Take any contaminated clothes off and wipe or wash any unprotected skin if you were outside after the radiation fallout hit the scene.

Stay inside (reuniting with family members away from you at a later time). Keep your pets inside with you.

Hand sanitizer is useless against radiation. Avoid touching your face, and don’t use disinfectant wipes on your skin.

Are you outside when the explosion occurs? Take cover from any potential protecting structure. Lie face down to protect yourself from flying debris and heat. Don’t touch your mouth, eyes, or mouth. In a vehicle? Safely stop and duck down inside the vehicle.

Once the shock wave has passed, get inside some shelter within ten minutes. The fallout may arrive soon. The radiation dose drops over time, highest immediately after the blast.

Food

You can eat or drink packaged food items inside a building. Avoid food or drink that was outdoors and uncovered. These substances may be contaminated.

Other hazards

Turn away/cover your eyes. The bright flash can result in temporary blindness lasting less than a minute.

Stay away from windows. The blast may blow the windows inwards.

Open your mouth to avoid a pressure wave that can damage your eardrums.

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) can damage electrically powered equipment and electronics. A hand-cranked or battery-powered radio can be invaluable.

Fallout is radioactive. You may see visible dirt and debris raining down from several miles up. This material can cause radiation sickness. Get inside as soon as possible.

Prepare

Get ready by having adequate hand sanitizer, soap, disinfecting wipes, and general household cleaning supplies. Don’t forget medicines for you and your loved ones.

In addition, get some extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other needed equipment. Finally, don’t forget the things your pets will need.

While this is an unusual topic, the events in Ukraine have been concerning.

The post Nuclear Explosion? How You Respond May Save You appeared first on Medika Life.

Some of you will talk about tucking under desks or lining up against walls for nuclear attack practice. Families with money and houses built bomb shelters in their back yards. Black and yellow signs on buildings and subways pointed to bomb shelter areas.

We took home large posters from my school that gave detailed illustrations regarding protecting ourselves if Russia attacked with an atom bomb. Yes, it was Russia even then.

We were all issued dog tags with our name, birthdate, and religion on them and always instructed to wear them around our necks. It never occurred to me that they would use it for identifying my dead body in the event of an attack. After all these years, I have no idea where mine is, but I remember wearing them.

Those were upsetting times that students tried to see as common as fire drills, but they weren’t; it was preparation for destruction, disappearing in a flash. We had so little concern (forget any fear) because our teachers modeled the calm behavior that we then incorporated into our thinking. If they weren’t afraid, why should we be, was our attitude. No parents in my neighborhood ever brought up the topic and dutifully hung up the posters as though they were artwork.

No one talked to us about death and destruction, only that we were expected to act a certain way and things would be OK. But, if they were going to be “OK,” why did we need those dog tags or the posters? The question never entered our minds, seemingly.

How many of you sat in your living room with all the drapes drawn, daring not to whisper a word as the local air raid warden made rounds? As a very young child, my family did, and I can still recall, what it was like to have a rudimentary, pump-action fire extinguisher in the hallway outside our apartment in a poorly constructed wooden building. Ironically, the “fire extinguisher” never contained water.

The invasion in Ukraine is disturbing to us adults, but for the children, what is it, and how will it affect them? I heard one little boy on TV say, “They’re going to kill us.” The saying we often use is only the strong survive, but overt survival doesn’t tell the deeper story and any damage done.

Incredibly, some research points toward children being more resistant to after-war effects. “Yet many practitioners recognized that even amidst armed conflicts or recent mass displacement, children and adolescents exhibit agency that is an important resource for coping, adjustment, and resilience.”

But as opposed to wars in the past where the military were the primary targets, wars now are considered low intensity where “under these…circumstances civilians, including children, as well as the infrastructure of the society become targets.” The entire social fabric of society is damaged in its entirety, leaving some of the citizens terrorized. How will this affect the future of that generation and the generation they are raising?

Exposure to war violence is viewed as intergenerational, and its effects may play out in many areas; violence, mental health issues, and physical health. Children enmeshed in the turbulence of a war zone may be desensitized or immune to violence. Can anyone dare to predict how they will be affected?

Much of the research has mentioned PTSD, primarily in domestic situations, but there is a lack of longitudinal study with children and war experiences at this point. We know trauma can affect brain development, and we might conclude that these children could have stunted growth in some areas of their brains, personalities, and ability to relate to others.

Right now, what would seem to be the one thing that may be most helpful for children in these situations? I think it might be what it was during our atom bomb drills; parental reassurance and support, as well as teachers who model appropriate behavior and provide extra help when needed.

We can’t stop unconscionable, murderous dictators, who are more criminal than politicians, but we can help our kids and adults. Continuing to plan for a more promising future, maintaining close social connections, and caring for each other are three means to a brighter future.

Holding a position of hope is one power we retain in the direst of situations.

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