Anton Pokaliukhin, Stanislav Miroshnychenko, Hanna Chernenko, and Oksana Ivanytska discussed how to avoid re-traumatization, apply a trauma-sensitive approach, and restore your own emotional resources after difficult stories.
“The key is not to comfort a person with clichés like ‘Stay strong,’ ‘Everything will be fine,’ or ‘I understand you.’ On the contrary, it is about creating a sense of safety—a space where a person feels heard and understood,” emphasized Anton Pokaliukhin, psychologist and expert with the Mental Support for Media program.
We also discussed how journalists can recover after working with traumatic stories:
– Acknowledge your own emotional state
– Find small joys—sports, hobbies, art
– Seek professional help when needed
– Allow yourself rest and moments of “here and now”
The topic of re-traumatization is difficult, yet the conversation is essential. Only in an atmosphere of acceptance and care can we speak with those who have endured war—and at the same time, protect ourselves
Background: Mental Support for Media is a program providing psychological assistance to journalists in Ukraine, implemented by the Souspilnist Foundation in partnership with the BrainCult Mental Health Center.
