BBC: They escaped Ukraine's front lines. The sound of drones followed them

"'Over the past year, the majority of patients – if they are not physically wounded – have mental health injuries as a result of being under drone activity,' said Dr Serhii Andriichenko, chief psychiatrist at Kyiv's military hospital. 'We call this droneophobia.'" - Joel Gunter, BBC News

Ukrainian veterans, soldiers and civilians are experiencing PTSD at higher rates due to the use of drones in warfare. First-person view (FPV) drones are used to expand the battlefield without the use of soldiers on the ground. Their remote operation allows for attacks to be launched while the operators are in a more secure location.

Russia is using FPVs to inflict physical and mental stress across the frontlines. More and more people are reporting that they can no longer relax, as simple sounds remind them of drone attacks.

The need for mental health care and infrastructure is only growing as the war continues. ACHF is actively working with Ukrainian mental health professionals who treat patients with PTSD. By supporting us, you are supporting the 3,000+ patients that our partner clinicians have treated (or are still treating). These clinicians have been trained through the United Methodist Committee On Relief-funded projects, and we are thankful for their support of Ukraine and our mental health initiative.