The Virtual Ukraine Project: Trauma Therapy in Warzones with Virtual Reality

This chapter details the “Virtual Ukraine Project,” utilizing virtual reality (VR) to address the psychological impacts of the War in Ukraine on military personnel and civilians. Leveraging VR's advancements, the project integrates immersive environments for clinical intervention and mental health support. It outlines four primary initiatives: (i) adapting the BRAVEMIND Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) system for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment to reflect the Ukrainian context, creating relevant virtual environments for therapeutic exposure; (ii) employing a digital version of Sandtray therapy for Ukrainian children affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), allowing for narrative play and emotional expression; (iii) developing a metaverse-enabled social support application, facilitating clinician-driven and peer-supported group processes for displaced individuals, offering a platform for emotional support and shared experiences; (iv) integrating The Sanctuary, a VR application for mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques, serving as a supplementary tool for stress and trauma management. Highlighting VR's potential for immersive therapy, the chapter emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts among scientists, clinicians, and software developers to tailor VR applications to the needs of those affected by the conflict. The result will be a comprehensive set of VR tools for mental health care in conflict zones that demonstrates VR's innovative, accessible, and culturally sensitive therapeutic possibilities.