A mental health center of the RETURNING network, founded by Victor and Olena Pinchuk, has opened in Odesa

The RETURNING project demonstrates a successful partnership between the private sector and the state, where philanthropists establish centers based within public healthcare institutions.

“Skilled professionals are the foundation of a successful mental health ecosystem. That is why the POVERNENNIA network systematically invests in education—both for its own teams and for specialists across the field.Our training programs engage all multidisciplinary teams and are grounded in the best practices from Ukraine and around the world. Particular attention is given to implementing effective approaches, including EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family therapy, as well as developing regular supervision as a key tool for supporting professionals. We train specialists to work with the most complex cases—such as captivity experiences, PTSD, and addiction—so that our centers combine not only comfort and inclusivity, but above all, high-quality and professional care.,” said Svitlana Grytsenko, Head of the RETURNING project.

The RETURNING center in Odesa is located at 26-A Akademika Zabolotnoho Street (8th floor). The center provides facilities for individual, family, and group work: project funding has equipped offices for individual and family consultations, a space for group therapy, a two-bed day inpatient unit with multifunctional medical beds, a treatment room, a reception area with a waiting zone, a staff room, and an accessible restroom for visitors.

The center is equipped with the necessary tools for both specialists’ work and patients’ recovery, including modern equipment, the Shiftwave psychological relief system (USA), and tools for psychotherapeutic practice. Visitors are supported by a multidisciplinary team — psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and, when needed, social workers and veteran support specialists. This approach ensures comprehensive care that addresses clinical, psychological, and social needs.

“Seeking psychological help is a sign of strength and responsibility for one’s own well-being. In the context of war, support is important not only for service members and veterans, but also for their families, as trauma affects the entire family. RETURNING centers are designed to provide a safe and comfortable recovery environment — a space free from judgment and stigma. Psychological inclusivity, respect for each person’s experience, and a sense of safety form the foundation for trust and recovery,” said Mykyta Arkhypov, Head of the RETURNING Center in Odesa.

Support is provided on an outpatient basis or, if needed, at the visitor’s place of residence. Specialists work with the effects of stress, anxiety and depressive conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adjustment and psychosomatic difficulties, as well as other mental health conditions. The center applies modern, evidence-based approaches to trauma care, offering individual, group, and family consultations. Special attention is given to psychological inclusivity — creating a safe, stigma-free environment that respects each person’s experience and ensures confidentiality.

As of today, 14 RETURNING centers founded by Victor and Olena Pinchuk are already operating in Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, Kyiv, Lutsk, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Uzhhorod, and Zhytomyr. In the first phase, the RETURNING project plans to open 25 centers across Ukraine, which will collectively provide support to more than 100,000 service members, veterans, and their families each year.

Address of the RETURNING center in Odesa: 26-A Akademika Zabolotnoho Street (8th floor)

Reception phone: +38 093 744 48 47

Email: odesa@povernennya.org