Despite high prevalence of depression (70%), anxiety (80%), and probable PTSD (31%) among Ukrainian adults during the ongoing war, only 15% sought psychological help, highlighting the urgent need to improve access to psychological and psychiatric care in Ukraine.
Depression symptoms were reported by 70% of the Ukrainian adult sample during the ongoing war.
Anxiety symptoms were reported by 80% of participants, representing the most prevalent mental health symptom in the sample.
31% of participants met criteria for probable PTSD.
Only 15% of participants sought psychological help despite high rates of mental health symptoms.
Perceived stress significantly predicted mental health outcomes and was associated with a greater likelihood of help-seeking.
Women were more likely than men to report anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
Displacement, economic instability, loss of loved ones, and shortages of basic resources were identified as contributors to distress in the Ukrainian population during the war.
This research examined the mental health of 100 Ukrainian adults living through the ongoing war in Ukraine. Participants completed questionnaires about their mental health symptoms, stress levels, how they cope with difficulties, and whether they had sought professional help. The findings revealed very high rates of psychological distress: 80% of participants reported anxiety symptoms, 70% reported symptoms of depression, and nearly one-third (31%) met the threshold for probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women were more likely than men to report anxiety and PTSD. Factors such as displacement, economic hardship, loss of loved ones, and lack of basic resources were linked to these mental health difficulties. Despite these high rates of distress, only 15% of participants had sought psychological help — a striking gap between need and service use. People who reported higher levels of perceived stress were somewhat more likely to seek help, but overall, the vast majority of those experiencing significant symptoms were not accessing professional support. This suggests that barriers to care — which may include limited availability of services, stigma, financial constraints, or the disruptions of war — are preventing people from getting help they need. This research suggests that the mental health burden on Ukrainians during the war is substantial and largely unaddressed by formal services. The findings point to an urgent need to expand access to psychological and psychiatric care in Ukraine, and to develop outreach strategies that can connect people experiencing distress with appropriate support, even under wartime conditions.
Bednářová A, Kalymon Y, Mikula P, Hlaváčová N, Obsuth I, Jarčušková D. (2026). Mental health, coping strategies, and help-seeking behaviour during the ongoing war in Ukraine: a cross-sectional study.. International journal of public health. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610017