The 9th Mental Health Center of the Nationwide RETURNING Network Opens in Kyiv

The ninth mental health center of the nationwide RETURNING (ukr. ПОВЕРНЕННЯ) network has opened in Kyiv. The RETURNING project was founded by Victor Pinchuk and Olena Pinchuk to support the mental health of Ukraine’s service members, veterans, and their family members who have experienced the psychological consequences of the war caused by Russia’s aggression.

Each year, the Kyiv center will be able to provide high-quality, free psychological care to more than 4,000 service members, veterans, and members of their families.

The RETURNING project demonstrates a successful public–private partnership in which philanthropists establish modern, comfortable, and barrier-free mental health centers within public medical institutions. The new RETURNING center has been created within one of Kyiv’s key public healthcare facilities.

As part of the RETURNING project, a major renovation was carried out in part of the first-floor premises. The center’s space was designed in line with principles of barrier-free access, inclusivity, and psychological safety. Wide doorways, the absence of thresholds, inclusive restrooms, and non-slip flooring create conditions in which every person can feel dignified and comfortable, regardless of physical limitations or health status.

One of the core values of the center—and of the entire RETURNING network—is psychological inclusivity. This means that the space, communication, and therapeutic approaches are structured so that every visitor—regardless of background, condition, or depth of trauma—feels safe, respected, accepted, and able to speak about the most difficult experiences without fear of being misunderstood or judged.

At the opening of the center, Victor Pinchuk, founder of the RETURNING project, noted:
“RETURNING is a strategic project for my wife Olena and me. Unfortunately, for our country this will be a project not only for the duration of the war and not just for the coming years. I believe that the next generation will take responsibility for the mental health of those who fought and continue to fight, as well as their family members.”
He also emphasized: “We are creating these centers as an open benchmark—so that the state, businesses, and philanthropists can join in and scale this model. Work with veterans is not about years; it is about decades. Alongside defense and economic recovery, this is one of the key areas that will shape the country’s development for many years to come.”

The Kyiv RETURNING center is designed for comprehensive care and includes rooms for individual and group therapy, a day-care unit, a treatment room, a doctors’ office, and a reception area with a comfortable waiting space. The entire environment is designed to reduce stress, foster a sense of calm and trust, and support the psychological recovery process.

The RETURNING mental health center is equipped with all necessary equipment, technology, and therapeutic tools for working with the consequences of trauma. This includes computer and multimedia equipment, the Shiftwave System for psychological relaxation and stress management, EMDR therapy tools, materials for art therapy and sensory regulation, as well as professional clinical literature.

The center operates with a multidisciplinary team consisting of two physicians, two clinical psychologists, two practical psychologists, a nurse, and a veteran support specialist. This model ensures a comprehensive approach that takes into account a person’s clinical, psychological, and social needs.

Nataliia Petrenko, Head of the Kyiv Mental Health Center, said:
“A human-centered approach in mental health means starting not with a diagnosis, but with the person—with their experience, feelings, pace, and needs. It is important to us that veterans are active participants in their own recovery: setting goals, voicing their needs, and understanding the purpose of each step. This kind of collaboration builds trust and a sense of support and safety—the foundation for sustainable, long-term recovery.”

The RETURNING mental health center provides support to people experiencing the effects of stress, anxiety and depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosomatic symptoms, and difficulties adapting to civilian life. Its work is based on evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches, with particular attention to each person’s pace, sense of safety, and the gradual restoration of psychological resilience.

An important component of the RETURNING project is its educational track, aimed at the systemic development of Ukraine’s mental health sector. In cooperation with Ukrainian and international experts, the project implements modern training programs for professionals, including practical trainings, workshops, and supervision based on evidence-based methods such as EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma-focused therapy. This educational component ensures consistency of approaches, high-quality care, and the long-term impact of the RETURNING project on Ukraine’s mental health system.

The nationwide network of RETURNING mental health centers is already operating in Dnipro, Kyiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Lutsk, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernihiv, and continues to expand. All centers operate within public medical institutions and provide free outpatient care to service members, veterans, and their families.

At the first stage of the project, its founders—Victor and Olena Pinchuk—plan to establish 25 RETURNING centers across Ukraine, which will be able to support more than 100,000 service members, veterans, and family members each year.

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