Chernihiv: Supporting Rescuers on the Front Line of Emergency Response

The Brave Minds team with the Chernihiv team of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES)

On 26 November, Brave Minds visited the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) in Chernihiv, a city that continues to face regular attacks due to its proximity to the Russian border.

For local rescuers, this means working in exceptionally demanding conditions. Emergency crews are called to respond to the consequences of attacks, fires and destruction, often knowing that the next call may come at any moment. Their work requires the ability to keep going under prolonged pressure.

During the visit, Brave Minds met with the SES leadership, psychologists and rescue teams to learn more about their everyday work and the challenges they face.

The team also spoke with rescuers from three fire stations across Chernihiv. These conversations created space for questions, open discussion and practical information about psychological support, including a reminder that asking for help is always an option. For rescuers who spend their days being there for others, having somewhere to turn for support matters.

When support is needed, Brave Minds is here.

We are grateful to the Chernihiv SES team for the warm welcome, openness and willingness to cooperate. Supporting rescuers means being attentive to what they experience, understanding the realities of their work and making sure that psychological support is within reach when it is needed.