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Main > Support groups for children > Children of missing soldiers

CHILDREN OF MISSING SOLDIERS

A psychological support project for children aged 7 to 15 whose military family members have gone missing in action

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CHILDREN OF MISSING SOLDIERS

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A psychological support project for children aged 7 to 15 whose military family members have gone missing in action

Who is this project for?

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Project “Children of missing soldiers” is a four-month program offering free psychological support for children living with ambiguous loss — a situation where a loved one is missing and there is no information about their fate. The program is suitable for your child if:

    their father, mother, or another close person has gone missing during the war;

    at least 2 months have passed since the disappearance;

    the child is ready to attend 16 group online sessions with a psychologist regularly.

Please note! Even if the child doesn’t show clear symptoms, it’s essential to offer support. Ambiguous loss causes chronic stress, anxiety, and tension, which over time may lead to psychological health issues.

CHILDREN OF MISSING SOLDIERS

Illustration

A psychological support project for children aged 7 to 15 whose military family members have gone missing in action

Who is this project for?

Illustration

Project “Children of missing soldiers” is a four-month program offering free psychological support for children living with ambiguous loss — a situation where a loved one is missing and there is no information about their fate. The program is suitable for your child if:

    their father, mother, or another close person has gone missing during the war;

    at least 2 months have passed since the disappearance;

    the child is ready to attend 16 group online sessions with a psychologist regularly.

Please note! Even if the child doesn’t show clear symptoms, it’s essential to offer support. Ambiguous loss causes chronic stress, anxiety, and tension, which over time may lead to psychological health issues.

What challenges do children face when a loved one is missing?

Ambiguous loss is one of the hardest forms of grief. It creates emotional swings between hope and despair, fear and pain. It’s a grief that can’t be fully processed, often leading to a sense of lost control and trust in life. Children often:

What challenges do children face when a loved one is missing?

Ambiguous loss is one of the hardest forms of grief. It creates emotional swings between hope and despair, fear and pain. It’s a grief that can’t be fully processed, often leading to a sense of lost control and trust in life. Children often:

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    Feel guilt or anger towards adults who “aren’t doing anything”;

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    Fantasize about the return of their parent

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    Become more withdrawn or, conversely, aggressive

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    Have difficultise at school or in relationships

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    Grow up too quickly and lose their innocence

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    Tend to immerse themselves in gadgets, sometimes leading to dependency

What do support groups provide?

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Participation in the group will help the child:

    help the child feel they are not alone, even in the most difficult situations;

    help reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and tension;

    help restore a sense of inner safety;

    help express emotions through play, creativity, and drawing;

    strengthen the emotional bond with the missing parent;

    offer peer support from others going through similar experiences;

    improve well-being and emotional resilience;

    boost self-confidence, inner strength, and hope for the future.

What do support groups provide?

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Participation in the group will help the child:

    help the child feel they are not alone, even in the most difficult situations;

    help reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and tension;

    help restore a sense of inner safety;

    help express emotions through play, creativity, and drawing;

    strengthen the emotional bond with the missing parent;

    offer peer support from others going through similar experiences;

    improve well-being and emotional resilience;

    boost self-confidence, inner strength, and hope for the future.

How are the sessions conducted?

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    MEETING FORMAT

    Online

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    FREQUENCY

    Once a week

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    GROUP SIZE

    8-10 children of the same age

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    LENGTH OF EACH SESSION

    1 hour

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    PROJECT DURATION

    16 sessions

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    PRICE

    Free

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How are the sessions conducted?

Illustration
  • icon

    MEETING FORMAT

    Online

  • icon

    FREQUENCY

    Once a week

  • icon

    GROUP SIZE

    8-10 children of the same age

  • icon

    LENGTH OF EACH SESSION

    1 hour

  • icon

    PROJECT DURATION

    16 sessions

  • icon

    PRICE

    Free

Parental support

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We work with both children and adults. Parents receive:

    regular feedback on their child’s emotional state;

    recommendations on how to support the child at home;

    access to a parent support community.

Join the COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE BEREAVED.

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Image placeholder

Parental support

We work with both children and adults. Parents receive:

    regular feedback on their child’s emotional state;

    recommendations on how to support the child at home;

    access to a parent support community.

Join the COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE BEREAVED.

Image placeholder
Image placeholder

Parental support

We work with both children and adults. Parents receive:

    regular feedback on their child’s emotional state;

    recommendations on how to support the child at home;

    access to a parent support community.

Join the COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE BEREAVED.

Reviews

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Marina

Thank you very much for your help. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I am very sad that the classes have ended. Nastya really enjoyed studying with you. She felt a significant improvement, figured herself out, found answers to many questions, made friends, and also realized that she is not alone in the world with such a problem. She received support, understanding, and even a wonderful friend, the dog Plyamka🐶. Nastya told me a story about a lost dog, and I understood everything when the gift arrived. It gives children hope that those who are lost will definitely be found and return home🙏. Thank you to the NGO “Vazhlivi” for your attention and care for our children, for organizing such useful and necessary classes, and for the wonderful gift. It's very nice. After attending the classes, I really noticed positive changes in my child. She became calmer, less sad, and when we were on vacation at the sanatorium, she even danced at the children's disco for the first time in a long time. Thank you!

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Alla

We sincerely thank the team at Vazhlivy NGO for your care, attention, and invaluable work. The psychological support you provide is extremely important for my family and especially for my son Artur. I already see positive changes in his behavior, mood, and self-confidence. He happily participates in classes, which is a real gift for us and gives us hope for a better future. Your work gives children a sense of security and understanding, and gives parents faith and peace of mind. Thank you for your big heart, support, and dedication!"

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Maria

“We sincerely thank the NGO ‘Vazhlivyi’ for your conscientious work. For your love and care, which the children felt from the very first lesson. Thanks to your work, the child has begun to talk more about his feelings and experiences. He is learning to work with his emotions. We wish you strength and inspiration for your future work.”

Who leads the groups?

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Marta Khymko

psychologist, children's group leader

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Charna Nataliia

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Anna Bondareva

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Daryna Venhlinska

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Olga Ostashevska

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Tetiana Koshel

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Alina Zhuravina

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Svitlana Dergun

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Alina Korchazhnova

psychologist,
children's group leader

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Yana Lomova

psychologist, children's group leader, chat support psychologist

How to enroll a child in a group?

To add a child to the group, please fill out the form below.