It's no secret that any job affects a person's mental health. The problem of maintaining psychological health is especially acute when it comes to whistleblowers.
Most common among whistleblowers are cases of depression and PTSD symptoms. The threat of retaliation against whistleblowers can lead to anxiety and feelings of isolation, sleep problems, and in some cases, suicidal feelings.
In general, the following negative consequences for psychological health can be distinguished that a whistleblower may face:
🔹Physical consequences - negative reactions of the body to excessive demands or pressure (insomnia, headaches, rapid fatigue, etc.).
🔹Behavioral consequences - the appearance of negative habits, aggression and the desire to avoid communication with others.
🔹Emotional consequences - feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, the appearance of suicidal thoughts, etc.
🔹Psychological consequences - memory problems, lack of concentration, feeling of emptiness and inadequate assessment of the current life situation.
What is the situation with the provision of psychological assistance in Ukraine?
The law enshrines the whistleblower's right to receive psychological assistance, but there is no procedure for implementing this right. In general, the system of free psychological assistance in Ukraine is characterized by fragmentation, the lack of a unified approach to the procedure and grounds for providing services, and the lack of scientifically based methods of providing psychological assistance, in particular to whistleblowers. In this regard, it is necessary to develop a concept of a system of psychological assistance to whistleblowers, to develop methods of providing psychological assistance to whistleblowers, both for psychologists and for persons who are in direct contact with whistleblowers and work with their disclosures (investigators, prosecutors, lawyers, employees of the NACP).
Here is a link to the Analytical review of the international experience of providing psychological assistance to whistleblowers: https://bit.ly/3lzfcIf, as well as to the Analytical review of the system of free psychological assistance in Ukraine: https://bit.ly/405T6Mn
