A survey conducted by Gradus Research indicates that 72% of veterans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is three-quarters of those surveyed, fear that the state may forget about them after the end of hostilities.
In addition, more than half of the surveyed veterans expressed concern about finding employment in civilian life and their ability to adapt to a peaceful routine. At the same time, more than a third of veterans who were injured in combat believe that their physical and emotional injuries may negatively affect the attitude of others toward them.
According to experts, after the end of hostilities, two key programs should be implemented to support combatants:
- Psychological and psychiatric assistance aimed at overcoming the difficulties associated with the transition from military to civilian life. This program should take into account the peculiarities of military experience and help to cope with post-traumatic disorders, preventing the social exclusion of veterans.
- Social reintegration, which includes providing opportunities for new employment, free training and retraining courses, and access to higher education.
These measures will allow combatants to successfully integrate into society and prevent a gap between veterans and the civilian population.
