Vancouver-Based Non-Profit Offers Psychological Support Programs for Ukrainians in Grief
The Maple Hope Foundation has been providing relief from the impact of war since 2014. They have organized charity events, delivered medical aid, and supported Ukraine through cultural and humanitarian initiatives. Now, the focus for the Maple Hope Foundation is on motivating others to help those coping with loss.
Natalia Smakhtina is a registered clinical counsellor and holds a PhD in psychology. She said there isn’t enough capacity for mental health practitioners compared to the amount of grieving Ukrainians are experiencing. Together with Svitlana Kominko, a psychologist,
Certified Grief Educator and CEO of the Maple Hope Foundation, they developed a course for veterans, those who have lost loved ones, social workers, and others in need.
The course consists of free virtual sessions, where Smakhtina and Kominko teach people from all over Ukraine. The structure of the course combines theoretical foundations with practical components, giving participants the opportunity to explore their own stories, concepts, and beliefs about grief. Smakhtina shared that this process became very personal in the course and helped Ukrainians change their perspective on grieving itself and on how to grieve with others.
While researching psychological concepts of grieving, Smakhtina was
inspired by David Kessler, a grieving expert and author who thinks that grieving is not supposed to be fixed but is supposed to be witnessed. That principle became the core of the program. This round is different, Kominko said, because the participants don’t have an education in psychology. She added that grief is not only about death, but also about the loss of safety when living at war.
“It’s not only pain, it’s multi-layered, it’s a complex, deeply human phenomenon that people started exploring,” said Smakhtina.
Smakhtina explained that people in Ukraine are experiencing mass traumas and unprocessed grief. She believes that grief isn’t rooted in any one culture and has never been something people were taught to navigate. That’s why it is important not to ignore, but to create a safe space to be in. Smakhtina aims for the participants to integrate grief into their lives.
She describes grief as a deep sorrow and unexpected shock that changes all the previously working behavioural patterns, life layouts, routine, and everything that worked before. When a traumatic experience happens, a human’s psycho needs to adapt, which might be complicated and depends on individual defence mechanisms. However, once adapted,
people have a great chance to live a full life, said Smakhtina.
“What we need is just to witness our grief. Just be there.”
Smakhina said the main goal is to inspire others to support those who are grieving. She believes that if people begin creating their support groups or initiatives, it can help to connect with someone in grief and walk with them through the healing process.
“We are planning to continue because the need is great, and this is very meaningful and important work,” explained Kominko.
The Maple Hope Foundation is continuing to help Ukrainians, and shortly, they are going to organize another cohort for psychologists in Ukraine, as well as more webinars and teaching resources for grieving people.
– Lisa Kovtun, U Multicultural
