"I've tried everything. Nothing helps."
I hear this sentence too often.
A veteran who's been through 5-10 different therapists. Who's tried antidepressants, anxiolytics, sleeping pills. Who attended support groups. Who "held on."
And nothing helped.
This is called treatment-resistant depression and treatment-resistant PTSD.
And for such people, there exists something that's still rarely discussed in Ukraine: ketamine-assisted therapy.
What is ketamine-assisted therapy?
Ketamine is a medical drug that's been used in anesthesiology for 50+ years. But in the last 20 years, research has shown its unique ability to quickly and effectively treat depression and PTSD that don't respond to standard treatment.
How does it work?
Unlike antidepressants (which work with serotonin and require weeks), ketamine works with glutamate – the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter.
It: - Stimulates neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to create new connections) - "Unfreezes" emotional blocks - Provides the experience of "seeing trauma from a safe distance" - Reduces suicidal thoughts after just 1-2 sessions
This is not a "high." This is a medical procedure.
Why specifically group?
At Forest Glade, we work with group format.
Why not individual?
1. Community. Veterans go through the experience together. This creates a deep sense of "I'm not alone."
2. Safety. When others are nearby – it's easier to "let go of control" (which is critically important for ketamine's effect).
3. Peer-to-peer integration. After the session, the group discusses the experience. Everyone shares insights. This amplifies the effect.
4. Economics. Group format makes therapy more accessible.
Coalition: clinic + community + education
Our work is not just "give ketamine and let go."
It's a coalition model:
1. Clinic – Forest Glade
Mental Health and Rehabilitation Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Professional clinical base. Kseniia Vosnitsyna's team – psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses.
Safe environment. Medical monitoring. Multidisciplinary approach.
2. Community – veterans
Group participants support each other not only during the course, but after.
Telegram chats. Meetings. Integration sessions. Peer-to-peer help.
Continuous integration.
This is not "came-and-left." This is the beginning of long-term support.
3. Education – Heal Ukraine Trauma + UPRA
Heal Ukraine Trauma (Oksana Gryshchenko) – training Ukrainian therapists, certification, implementing ketamine therapy in Ukraine.
UPRA (Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association) (Oleg Orlov and team) – research, advocacy, education, documentary "From Shock to Healing."
This is an ecosystem. Not separate parts – but a complete organism.
How does the course go?
Preparation - Screening (medical and psychological) - Group introduction - Educational part (what ketamine is, how it works, what to expect)
Sessions - 4-6 ketamine sessions (IM injection) - Music therapy - Therapists present - Safe environment
Integration - Group discussion of experience - Individual EMDR/body-oriented therapy sessions - Community support
After the course - Continuing psychotherapy - Participation in veteran community - Possibility to return for maintenance sessions
Who is this for?
Ketamine-assisted therapy is suitable if:
- Treatment-resistant depression (antidepressants don't help)
- Chronic PTSD (classical therapy doesn't give results)
- Suicidal thoughts
- Emotional numbing
Ketamine therapy is NOT suitable if:
- Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia)
- Active substance use
- Serious cardiovascular diseases
- Acute psychosis
Mandatory medical screening.
Research and evidence base
This is not an experiment. This is science.
FDA (USA) approved esketamine (Spravato) for treatment-resistant depression in 2019.
Research shows:
- **70% of patients** with treatment-resistant depression experience improvement
- **Rapid effect**: from 24 hours to 1 week (vs. 4-6 weeks for antidepressants)
- **Reduction in suicidal thoughts** after just 1-2 sessions
- **Safety** with proper medical supervision
Why doesn't everyone know about this?
Because it's new. Because there's stigma ("it's a drug"). Because it requires clinical infrastructure and trained specialists.
But we're doing it.
At Forest Glade. In Kyiv. In Ukraine. During war.
Because veterans can't wait 10 years for this to become mainstream.
International recognition
The Economist (January 2024) – article about our work: "A new therapy for Ukraine's scarred soldiers: ketamine".
NV.ua – publication about ketamine therapy in Ukraine.
BBC, Deutsche Welle – reports about work with veterans.
We are pioneers. And it's a responsibility.
"The brain has the ability to recover if you give it a chance"
These are Kseniia Vosnitsyna's words from a lecture on post-concussion syndrome.
And this is the essence of our approach.
The brain is plastic. It can create new connections. It can heal.
But it needs help. The right help.
Sometimes – it's EMDR. Sometimes – body-oriented therapy. Sometimes – ketamine.
The main thing – don't give up.
If "nothing helps"
If you've tried everything. If you're tired. If you think "maybe this is forever now."
No. Not forever.
There are still options. There's still hope.
Ketamine-assisted therapy is not a panacea. But it's a chance for those for whom other methods didn't work.