Why did fate decide that my comrade was killed, and I survived that battle? Why am I here—could this be my purpose? How do I cope with loss?
These are painful questions that Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines ask themselves every day. They search for answers or comfort — often turning to military chaplains for support.
A recent training for chaplains of different faiths became a uniquely important event. It was organized in cooperation with the American healthcare network Northwell Health, which brings extensive experience in working with military personnel and crisis environments.
The focus of the training was psychological first aid, stress management, and burnout prevention. The emotional resilience of chaplains directly affects the morale and psychological stability of our troops.
American specialists shared practical tools and knowledge to help chaplains identify early signs of emotional exhaustion and preserve their own inner strength in order to continue supporting others.
Chaplains are the moral and spiritual backbone for many service members. They listen, console, pray, or simply remain present in silence. They carry the emotional weight of war alongside the soldiers they support. But they, too, have limits.
As one participant said:
“We’re at war—we can’t feel completely safe, like in a ‘green zone’. But if we slide into the ‘orange’ or ‘red’ zone emotionally—how can we support anyone else?”
This training was about maintaining strength, developing self-care strategies, and recognizing the importance of looking after those who care for others every day.
