Kyiv Utilizes Locally Developed Technology to Address War Trauma

Kyiv Turns to Digital Tools to Address Mental Health Crisis Amidst War

As the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches on February 24, the people of Kyiv continue to endure the relentless stress and trauma of living under bombardment. Victoria Itskovych, director of the Kyiv City Council’s IT department, joins a Zoom call during an air raid alert, a situation that has become all too common in the city. “Almost every person has somebody who was injured or died during the war, or lost their home or lost their health,” she says, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict on Ukrainian society.

Kyiv Digital: Adapting to Wartime Needs

In response to the pervasive psychological toll of the war, the Kyiv government has turned to its digital platform, Kyiv Digital, to provide support and services to its residents. Launched in 2017, the platform was initially used for managing parking, public transport, and service disruptions. However, with the onset of the war, it quickly adapted to deliver urgent notifications about incoming attacks, bomb shelter locations, and safe routes.

Oleg Polovynko, adviser on digitalization to Kyiv’s mayor, emphasizes the rapid innovation and adaptation of the digital teams to meet the evolving needs of the city during wartime. They have expanded tools for civic participation, allowing citizens to vote on petitions, provide feedback to the government, and request assistance for bomb-damaged homes.

Addressing the Mental Health Gap

Despite the high prevalence of trauma among Kyiv residents, many are hesitant to seek professional help. Inna Davydenko, a mental health specialist at the City Center of Neurorehabilitation in Kyiv, highlights the shortage of mental health resources in Ukraine. “In most hospitals, you have maybe one psychologist. In good hospitals, it’s maybe two,” she explains. “A lot of people need psychological help, but we can’t cover everything.”

To bridge this gap, Polovynko and Itskovych aim to leverage Kyiv Digital’s platforms and data to digitize mental health support for the city. The project will initially focus on the most vulnerable groups, such as war veterans and children, as well as those best positioned to help others, like teachers and parents. By tracking individuals through the process of trauma recovery and identifying bottlenecks and effective treatments, the team hopes to efficiently match individual needs with appropriate support.

International Support and Future Implications

Bloomberg Philanthropies, a charitable organization created by former New York mayor and Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg, is supporting the project financially and operationally. James Anderson, head of government innovation at the organization, emphasizes the importance of addressing the long-term human costs of crises, even after global attention has shifted elsewhere.

The success of this project in Kyiv could serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges. As Anderson notes, “This is not the last war. This is not the last crisis. I think Kyiv has lessons that they can share with cities around the globe.”

The Long Road to Recovery

“Psychological health is the number one problem for Ukraine,” Davydenko says, before correcting herself. “Number one is Russia, number two is our psychological health,” she says. “PTSD is our future.”

The psychological impact of the war will persist long after the conflict ends, and Ukraine must be prepared to address the long-term mental health needs of its citizens. By harnessing the power of digital tools and innovative solutions, Kyiv is taking a proactive step towards building a more resilient and supportive society in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Updated 2-16-2024 3:30 pm GMT: The piece was corrected to indicate that Michael Bloomberg was the founder of Bloomberg, not its cofounder.