The State Emergency Service psychologists work with rescuers, using techniques to protect themselves from negative emotions; if necessary, rescuers are sent to rehabilitation; in general, refusal of psychological help can lead to serious health problems, Head of the psychological support department of the State Emergency Service in Kyiv Liubov Kirnos said.

In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, Kirnos said the State Emergency Service psychologists work at emergency sites, including after enemy shelling, with injured civilians, and also provide psychological support to the rescuers themselves.

"When you are on the road in combat clothing, you must protect yourself physically and emotionally. For emotional protection, we offer the following technique: before leaving, put on an imaginary suit, for example, a diving suit, which will not allow emotions to pass through," Kirnos said.

This technique, according to her, allows you to perceive what is happening around you as work, not to sympathize with people, so as not to injure yourself and not experience emotional exhaustion.

The psychologist also admitted that not all rescuers use this technique of protection from negative emotions, but each of them has already built their own defense mechanism.

"I'll tell you for myself: I no longer cry when I come back from trips, I feel sorry for people, I'm upset, but I don't feel their pain anymore," Kirnos said.

According to her, earlier psychologists conducted group trainings with rescuers, but now the emphasis is on individual conversations and consultations.

Answering the question about what kind of help is provided to a rescuer in case of emotional exhaustion, Kirnos said: "Some rescuers admit that they are tired and need rest. Then we recommend that managers refer them to medical and psychological rehabilitation, with the consent of the rescuer himself, of course. And the person undergoes rehabilitation for two weeks at a departmental sanatorium."

"Sometimes it comes to the point that I ask the manager to monitor this rescuer... Sometimes people have such conditions when I have to recommend turning to a psychotherapist or psychiatrist for further work," the psychologist said.

In general, according to her, refusal of psychological help can result in negative consequences for a person's health – lead to psychosomatics and, less often, to mental disorders.

"If we do nothing about sleep and eating disorders as a result of a traumatic event or long-term stress, then psychosomatic disorders appear: problems with the cardiovascular system, digestion. We don't take rest for ourselves – then our body, through the psyche, arranges a rest on sick leave bed," Kirnos said.