New People Party Urges Government to Implement Therapist Training Program for Veterans PTSD Treatment

The center-right New People party is urging the Russian government to establish an expedited training program for therapists aimed at addressing combat-related PTSD among veterans of the Ukraine conflict.

On Thursday, Deputy party leader Sardana Avksentyeva disclosed that she has approached the Defense Ministry to assist in retraining professional therapists into psychiatrists with a focus on veterans, as well as the Health Ministry to set up a registry of mental health practitioners who specialize in PTSD.

“We require experts who can effectively support both soldiers and their families, as the PTSD experienced by a soldier can significantly affect their loved ones,” Avksentyeva stated on Telegram. “Numerous veterans are unable to access the professional support they need due to a shortage of specialists, particularly in rural areas.”

According to estimates from the Russian Defense Ministry, one in five veterans from the war is believed to suffer from PTSD, Avksentyeva mentioned. Additionally, it is estimated that there is less than one therapist for every 7,000 adults in Russia, and even fewer with the qualifications to treat combat-related trauma.

The reintegration of Russian soldiers returning from the Ukraine conflict has increasingly become a social issue in the past three years, especially following a rise in incidents where veterans have perpetrated violence or homicide.

Court documents indicate that since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian servicemen have been responsible for at least 378 civilian deaths after returning to society.

“How will our nation function post-special military operation?” Avksentyeva questioned, referring to the Kremlin’s designation for the conflict. “We must start contemplating this matter now.”

New People has suggested naming the therapist training program “Peaceful Life.”

While the party, which holds 15 seats in the 450-member lower house of the State Duma, is generally viewed as more liberal compared to other political factions, New People representatives typically align their votes with the ruling United Russia party on key matters, including the Ukraine invasion.