Why pastoral and pastoral-psychological care is important for wounded soldiers and their families in Ukraine:
War leaves behind not only physical wounds, but also deep psychological wounds - not only for the soldiers, but also for their families. Wounded soldiers from Ukraine need more than just physical recovery; they require pastoral and pastoral-psychological support to deal with their traumas, losses and the stress of the battlefield. Equally important is support for their families, who are often also under enormous emotional pressure, struggling with fear, uncertainty and the burden of caring for their loved ones. Comprehensive pastoral care for soldiers and their families helps to manage the transition to civilian life, reduce the risk of developing PTSD and other mental health issues and ensure the long-term emotional wellbeing of all involved. It is crucial that not only the soldiers but also their families receive the emotional support they need to overcome the mental stress together and lead a fulfilling life.
A central ethical consideration in pastoral and pastoral-psychological care is respect for the dignity and autonomy of soldiers. It is essential that chaplains and pastoral psychology professionals ensure that soldiers can make decisions about their treatment and spiritual care freely and without coercion. This is particularly important as soldiers are in a vulnerable position and may find it difficult to make their own decisions.
Soldiers' traumas can be profound and complex. For this reason, pastoral and pastoral-psychological support must be handled sensitively. Ethical support takes into account the individual experiences of the soldiers and avoids approaches that could cause additional traumatisation.
Ethical standards require that only qualified professionals provide pastoral and pastoral-psychological support. It is important that soldiers receive the best possible help. Specialists should recognise when a problem exceeds their expertise and refer the soldier to appropriate specialists if necessary.
Ukrainian soldiers come from different religious and cultural backgrounds. Ethical pastoral care respects these diverse beliefs and does not impose its own faith or worldview on soldiers. Counselling should be inclusive and respect the soldiers' personal identity.
Strict confidentiality must be maintained when dealing with soldiers' psychological and spiritual matters. Ethical standards require that carers protect soldiers' personal information and only share it with other professionals if it is absolutely necessary for the well-being of the patient. This principle is particularly important in the military environment, where trust is especially sensitive.