The Ukraine Institute of Traumatherapy is a partnership between IMHC, the UIT Charitable Fund and the Ukraine Institute of Traumatherapy, LLC. Learn more about IMHC and the UIT Charitable Fund here
It will be a state-of-the-art, first of its kind rehabilitation center for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing, created to restore Ukrainian military, veterans and civilians to health and well-being. We will focus on Ukrainian military servicemembers rehabilitation and return to active service and to assist veterans and their families with healing and adaptation back to civilian life.
UIT will also be a training and research center, focused on best practices and education of the next generation of clinicians providing world-class trauma care. UIT staff will train medical and mental health professionals, collect and test treatments and techniques, with the goal of becoming a leader in trauma therapy in Ukraine and sharing our knowledge with professionals around the world.
Our multidisciplinary team will include psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals, neurology, addiction specialists, nurses and chaplains to provide wholistic and integrated care. Currently, International Mental Health Consulting, Inc. (IMHC) and The Center of Psychological Counseling & Traumatherapy “Open Doors” have provided almost 25,000 total clinical hours of counseling with 2,419 clients but this is just a drop in the bucket. The Russian aggression and war against Ukraine has been going on for over a decade since the first incursion into Crimea in 2014. Ukrainian government and UN estimates put the potential number of veterans at 3 million. Tens of thousands of civilians are in need of physical and mental health services to heal from war trauma.
The critical need for a permanent UIT complex is now.
“People often ask me ‘why now? Isn’t this a task to be completed post-war?’” says Dr. Olya Zaporozhets, Founder of UIT. “I counter that we see the necessity to help soldiers on the front lines, their wives/husbands, children, and others RIGHT NOW. We do not know when the war will end. We cannot afford wait.” Many of these veterans and civilians have endured sexual violence, death, displacement and living in occupied territories.
UIT is responding to the call of First Lady Olena Zelenska to “develop psychological support not only in the civilian medical sector, but also in the military. 52.6% of veterans consider psycho-emotional instability to be a very likely challenge after returning from service.” This is from a survey conducted among military personnel by the Ukrainian Veterans Fund of the Ministry of Veterans. In addition, children who have survived occupation, shelling, loss of parents, evacuation and other traumatic events related to war will need special attention and psychological treatment.
This project will have a capacity of 170 inpatient beds for trauma therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy for veterans, civilians, women and children. There will be buildings and spaces specifically designed and built for the individual and unique needs of women veterans, active duty, children, adolescents and civilians. Sports fields, swimming pools and playgrounds built in partnership with our friends at Goodsports will provide adaptive sports therapy for overall rehabilitation and wellness.
We will be a place of hope & healing for all
The Institute will provide evidence-based trauma and mental health services in a safe, supportive environment. In additional to physical and mental health, Chaplains will be a part of our multidisciplinary team, providing reflection, prayer and spiritual healing for those of all faiths who desire the spiritual aspect of healing to be part of their journey. Spiritual and moral trauma and the question of “why” are part of any war. These are questions the center’s clients may ask during their rehabilitation as they seek healing from their trauma.
“I remember before we started…they were young guys 18, 19, 20 years old, all so full of life and joy. Over time I began to notice how much war changes people. I’m in rehab now and it really helps. I was brought here in a bad state – panic attacks, dark thoughts, I didn’t know what to do. With time the psychologists and doctors pulled me out of that state and for that I’m incredibly grateful.” Artur, Ukrainian soldier
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You can also support us by shopping our Merch in our Bonfire shop –
100% of the proceeds support our Capital Campaign!
BUDGET
With gratitude for our friends & supporters who helped us achieve so much including purchasing the land, just south of Kyiv, and allowing us to pay about 75% of the pre-build phase. Thank you.
In 2024, we purchased 15 acres (6 hectares) in the southern direction from Kyiv, ordered architectural and engineering plans, artistic renderings – 2D & 3D, carried out preparatory work necessary for the construction of the 1st building.
PRE-BUILD BUDGET: USD UAH
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- Purchase of land $259,107 / 10882494,00
- Taxes $36,366 / 1527372,00
- Zoning change from residential to public $246 / 10332,00
- Bringing electricity to the site (680 kW) $68,135 / 2861670,00
- Drilling & soil samples $2,439 / 102438,00
- Topography (whole property) $1,685 / 70770,00
- Detailed architectural & engineering plans $70,740 / 2971085,40
- Government permits TBD
In 2025, we launched our ambitious capital campaign to raise funds for the first construction. Our goal is to provide a foundation in the first building (building #8 in the architectural drawings) by May 2025. The total cost of the first building is $3,225,000 (prices may fluctuate due to inflation, material costs and exchange rates).
The first building will be a modern, first-of-its-kind 3,225 square meter, 3-story building, with easy access from the road and visible to all who pass by. This first building will provide:
Phase 1 = $1.2M
Will include: foundation, bomb shelter, exterior walls, roof, insulation and windows
Phase 2 = $2.025M
Will include: interior designs to medical specifications, painting, water, electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, Internet & security
Cost Breakdown (in USD):
$240 000 for each floor above ground. $480 000 for floor below ground.
Price per sq. meter = $920 – $1,200 Depending on exchange rate, materials costs and inflation; $1 USD = approx. $41.50 Ukrainian hryvnia
UIT will be a place of hope and healing for physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual wounds.
