Lviv has established the first center in Ukraine to support Ukrainians who have suffered torture or severe psychological trauma as a result of the war. It will operate as a separate unit within the UNBROKEN ecosystem, located on Rafal Lemkin Street (a side street off Zamkova Street). All construction work has already been completed, and the first guests are expected to move in within about a month. The mental health center will be named after Saint Pope Leo the Great, who held the papal office in the 5th century. His spiritual legacy teaches support in times of crisis, the dignity of each individual, and the healing power of words.
The center spans over 1,100 square meters. It includes about 30 beds in cozy rooms that do not resemble a hospital. There is also a space for outpatient care, including an art workshop, physical therapy, and even a small gym. Doctors will help patients recover using various types of therapy. Up to one thousand patients per year will be able to receive care here – both inpatient and outpatient.
“Since the beginning of the full-scale war, we have provided mental health support to 107 patients who were released from captivity at the UNBROKEN Mental Health Center, which is based at St. Panteleimon Hospital. These include both military personnel and civilians. In this new space for patients who have suffered from torture, captivity, and psychological trauma, we plan to receive about 30 patients per day. There are 17 rooms. Both inpatient and outpatient care will be provided here, including psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services.
Specialists will use advanced instrumental methods of psychiatric care, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and neurofeedback. There is also a separate building for art therapy: the ground floor will house a pottery studio, and the second floor – an art workshop. However, if patients wish to engage in other types of creative work, we will not limit them and will adapt to their needs. This could include weaving, music therapy, and more. We need to create places where people can safely work through their war-related trauma, captivity, and torture and create a completely new lifestyle,” said Oleg Bereziuk, head of the mental health division at St. Panteleimon Hospital.
Not only was the old building renovated, but the surrounding area was also made accessible and cozy. Importantly, this is a building from 1905, so its authenticity was preserved as much as possible both inside and out. In particular, the old Austro-Hungarian stove was preserved and is now considered a symbol of continuous warmth in this space.
“We did not just build an institution but a space of trust. People who have survived captivity often lose their basic sense of safety. Restoring it is the first step to healing. Great thanks to the Mayor of Mechelen and the Government of Flanders, who contributed to the restoration of this building. It is also highly symbolic that the center is located on Rafal Lemkin Street, as he was the first to use the word ‘genocide’ – exactly what Russia is doing to Ukrainians today. I am confident that those who will be treated here will receive the best possible help and support. Huge thanks to everyone involved in the creation of this center,” said Andriy Sadovyy, Lviv City Mayor.
The center was created with financial support from the Government of Flanders. The Investment and Projects Office of the Lviv City Council attracted €1.5 million in grant funding for its implementation, facilitated the signing of the grant agreement, and oversees the project’s financial management. The €1.5 million grant is the first financial aid Lviv has received from Flanders. The initiative was supported by Bart Somers, Mayor of the Belgian city of Mechelen and former Minister of Regional Development. He endorsed the idea of creating such a center after visiting Lviv during the Lviv Urban Forum. The construction was carried out by the architectural firm ABMK.
