In August, the second shift of volunteer psychologists of the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission took place in Belgorod. At the invitation of the Belgorod Diocese, three specialists from Rostov-on-Don, Novosibirsk and Kirov organized work on psychological support for children living in the conditions of the frontline zone. The participants of the shift were children whose parents died in the conflict zone. The shift took place at the Belye Gory children's camp.
The volunteers were recruited from among the graduates of the "Return" course organized by the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service in 2025. The course was held for psychologists who work with veterans of their military and their families.
A special feature of the second shift was the free format of attending classes — at the request of the children. It is noteworthy that everyone came to them without exception, which showed the children's deep need for support as soon as they were given a choice and a sense of security.
One of the key areas of work was individual consultations, where children received targeted assistance in dealing with trauma, uncontrolled aggression and difficulties in communicating with their peers. During the program, the specialists used creative tasks and team games to help children get out of a state of emotional freeze.
According to the organizers, the shift confirmed the exceptional importance of qualified psychological assistance. Thanks to the support of the Synodal Department for Charity, the Belgorod Diocese and the work of volunteers, the children of the Belgorod region have the opportunity to cope with the hardships of frontline life.
In addition to their main work, psychologists helped as social volunteers at the Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery of Mercy in Belgorod.
The Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission was established by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church with the aim of coordinating and systematically developing assistance to civilians in the Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, as well as providing assistance to the wounded.
There are 12 Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission assistance centers in the border areas, Moscow and the conflict zone, where over 417,000 requests have been processed. More than 4,400 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to the victims. More than 8,100 volunteers participated in helping the victims. As part of the project to restore private housing for those in need in the conflict zone, 846 private homes have been restored. Volunteer priests travel in shifts to 45 hospitals in the conflict zone. Together with the Synodal Department for Charity, a service is working to help veterans of the SVR and their loved ones.