San Francisco company opens mental health center, drone pilot school in Ukraine

San Francisco, California – Russian War Ukraine It has a negative impact on the mental health of people living there, forcing a San Francisco– Based company to provide assistance.

Just answerAn online platform that connects people to professionals for professional advice has funded the JustAnswer National Mental Health Center in Lviv, which will open next week.

It will be a lifeline for those suffering from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress during the war.

Chief executive Andy Kurtzig said: “In a country of 44 million people who suffer from the trauma of bombs falling near them every day, this affects people’s mental health.” “We knew this was coming.”

Construction of the new 5,000 square foot facility took four months. It works in conjunction with the main hospital and the city.

The center provides free-of-charge care for people suffering from war-related trauma and other mental illnesses. There are 20 full-time professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists.

JustAnswer has been present in the country for more than a decade, employing around 300 people.

Many of the Ukrainian workers said they were stressed, depressed or traumatized by the war.

“This war will change me to a certain extent, I’m afraid I won’t know myself anymore,” said worker Nadia Semyon. “Sometimes we don’t realize we need help.”

She is one of 15,000 people the mental health center plans to serve this year alone. Next year the goal is 40,000.

Awareness and treatment of brain injury in Ukraine is low.

It is the country Not well equipped To cope with the large number of soldiers and civilians who have been mentally damaged by the escalating conflict.

Recent studies It is estimated that one in five people in conflict-affected areas suffer from serious mental illness.

“If you have a wound, you’ll probably see it and someone will tell you you need to go to the doctor,” Semmen said. “But when you’re acting a little different, maybe you’re just tired… We have a lot of explanations for why we’re okay.”

JustAnswer has since the beginning of the war. He made it a mission. To provide help and assistance to workers and refugees.

Related: San Francisco company with hundreds of employees in Ukraine raises $210K in grants

Kurtzig and his family lived in Ukraine They spent their spring break Delivering vital medical supplies, body armor and food.

The next big project is the drone pilot school, which is in the planning stage to finally open more eyes on the enemy.

“The training is to help civilians know where the Russians are, to help them leave when they are preparing to attack,” Kurtzig said. “Our goal is safety.”

The company donated 11 advanced surveillance planes to Ukraine to mark the tech company’s 11th anniversary.

It’s another proof that the Bay Area is reaching out to improve the health and lives of Ukrainians.

“This is a difficult time and a difficult situation in this war,” Kurtzig said. “This is when they need our support more than ever.”

Brooks Jaros He is an investigative reporter for KTVU. Email him brooks.jarosz@fox.com And follow him. Facebook And Twitter @BrooksKTVU