PREVENTION OF PSYCHOGENIC LOSSES IN THE MILITARY UNITS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE

Introduction. The experience of world wars, local armed conflicts and hostilities on the territory of Ukraine shows that psychological stress is an integral part of the activities of the personnel of military units that perform their assigned tasks in combat conditions. Acute emotional experiences from repeated encounters with death and prolonged stay in conditions of intense danger can have a powerful destructive effect on the psyche of combatants, which causes consequences dangerous for the mental, physiological and psychological health of an individual. Psychological traumatization among military personnel reduces the effectiveness of their performance of assigned tasks and becomes a factor in increasing the number of psychogenic casualties. Therefore, the question of finding an easy-to-use and effective psychological toolkit capable of minimizing psychogenic losses of personnel of the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is still open to psychologists. Purpose. Based on theoretical studies of scientific sources and own practical experience of conducting psychological trainings with military personnel, highlight the main aspects and effective methods of psychological training of personnel of military units regarding the prevention of psychogenic losses and preservation of mental health of combatants. Methods. To solve the tasks, a theoretical analysis of scientific sources in historical and modern aspects was carried out, an analysis and comparison of statistical data obtained as a result of theoretical investigations was carried out. In the course of conducting trainings with servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, empirical data were collected and processed, which are covered in the article. Originality. The article examines the main factors of psychogenic losses of personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the execution of tasks in combat (extreme) conditions. Possible stress reactions and mental states caused by combat actions are given. The main principles of psychoprophylactic work are indicated. The scientific and practical foundations of the psychological prevention of psychotraumatization of servicemen and the elements of the training program aimed at overcoming stress, preventing the consequences of traumatic experiences and developing stress resistance are highlighted. Attention is paid to effective methods of psychological prevention of psychogenic losses, and recommendations are provided for self-help, self-recovery, and preservation of the psychological health of combatants. Conclusion. As the duration and intensity of hostilities increases, the number of servicemen who experience a complete or partial loss of combat capacity as a result of psychotrauma caused by exposure to the stressors of the combat environment increases. The problem of psychogenic losses is significantly aggravated and has a prolonged character, determining in the future the spectrum of socio-economic investments of the state for the psychological rehabilitation of war veterans. High-quality organization and conduct of psychoeducational activities aimed at increasing the level of psychological preparedness of personnel to perform tasks in the zone of armed conflict will lead to an increase in the effectiveness of combat operations and minimize the scale of psychogenic losses. Psychoprophylaxis of psychogenic losses should be carried out at the stage of professional selection and during military service. It is important to accompany and support combat veterans during the rehabilitation period, not only in psychological, but also in social, legal, etc. aspects. The organization of educational events and the development and implementation of a complex psycho-training program for the development of resistance to the stressors of modern combat will ensure the successful performance of combat tasks by servicemen and will allow to minimize the number of psychogenic losses.