APRIL 7 • 2022 | 51

A

s the war in Ukraine rages on, 
some Michiganders face growing 
anxiety and concern.
Following the Russian invasion of 
Ukraine on Feb. 24, just weeks after a 
recent Omicron surge saw COVID-19 
numbers jump dramatically, the double 
whammy leaves many feeling like the 
world is experiencing one major crisis after 
another.
Dr. Melanie Schwartz, licensed psychol-
ogist and owner of West Bloomfield- and 
Commerce-based Viewpoint Psychology, 
says these world events are having a mental 
health impact on local residents. “It’s like 
people can’t handle one more thing,” she 
said.
With devastating news unfolding 
day after day about the worsening con-
flict in Ukraine, Schwartz says some 
Michiganders, who are still dealing with 
the mental health impact of COVID-19, 
now have a second challenge to deal with.
The American Psychiatric Association, 
or APA, recently issued a statement stating, 
“The war in Ukraine will have adverse 
mental health effects on individuals and 
communities around the world.” The APA 
advises mental health support to “mitigate 
the distress and the treatment of mental 
health conditions that may arise as a result 
of the crisis.”
In addition to traditional news sources, 
social media platforms like TikTok and 
Instagram offer people a first-hand and 
often different look at destruction through-
out Ukraine and the growing refugee crisis 
at the Ukraine border through photos, vid-
eos and live stories.

CONCERNS ABOUT FUTURE 
IMPACTS OF THE WAR
Witnessing these events, Schwartz says, can 
be difficult for many, especially in Metro 
Detroit where there is a large Ukrainian-
American population of more than 46,000 
individuals. Many in the area have family 
in Ukraine or know of people who do.
“I’m seeing increased anxiety related to 
what’s going on,” she says, “because people 
are thinking about the future and how it’s 
going to impact us going forward.”
Witnessing the war through news foot-
age and stories, Schwartz continues, can be 
“very anxiety-provoking and devastating.” 

This anxiety can present itself through 
avoidance, a form of anxiety, or direct anx-
iety by worrying and focusing on the crisis 
in Ukraine.
COVID-19 created a sense of helpless-
ness for many, Schwartz says. It’s a wound 
that recently started to heal as COVID-19 
case numbers finally began to drop, but 
the Ukraine crisis is reopening that wound 
for many, once again causing people to feel 
helpless. 
“People were starting to feel like they 
had more control,” Schwartz 
says. “Then now this. It goes 
right back to that helpless 
feeling.”
Sometimes, Schwartz 
explains, feelings of helpless-
ness can lead to depression, 
which her practice saw a lot 
of during the COVID-19 
pandemic. While she’s not 
currently seeing depression 
as a result of the Russia-
Ukraine war, she believes it 
could become a concern if 
the war continues. “I’m seeing just anxi-
ety now,” she says, “a sense of impending 
doom of what’s next and what’s going to 
happen.”

PRACTICING SELF-CARE
Right now, Schwartz says practicing self-
care is crucial to managing feelings of anxi-
ety during this unprecedented situation. 

 “There’s a time and a place to talk about 
it,” she says of the crisis, “but it can’t be the 
thing that rules your life because that’s not 
healthy.”
Finding that balance may help people 
reduce stress and anxiety. It’s healthy to 
share your feelings, Schwartz explains, 
but the key is to be mindful of how often 
you’re consuming news or talking about 
the war.
“To have the TV on 24/7 and watching 
it play out, that’s not healthy,” she says. 
“There has to be a sense of 
backing away from it, focusing 
on yourself and what you do 
have control over in your life.
 “Watching trauma play out 
all day long is going to trau-
matize you,” she advises. “It’s 
going to increase anxiety.”
It’s OK to modify news 
consumption, Schwartz says, 
in whatever manner best suits 
your life. Some people avoid 
watching TV or going on 
social media altogether to help 
reduce their anxiety, while others make 
a conscious decision to remain on social 
media, choosing to scroll past news stories 
or posts that may be triggering.
“It’s hard to take a break,” Schwartz 
admits. 
“If you don’t want to give up social 
media, that’s fine. You don’t have to focus 
on certain stories.” 

HEALTH

After healing from COVID-19 trauma, Ukraine 
crisis causes new mental health concerns.
Feeling Helpless

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Dr. Melanie Schwartz

