DEVELOPMENT OF A LEGAL MECHANISM FOR ENGAGING PSYCHOLOGISTS OF THE SSNS OF UKRAINE TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE

Abstract

Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the activities of psychologists of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine have expanded significantly. They carry out evacuation activities, provide first psychological aid, work in the points of invincibility, carry out recovery activities and psychological support for rescue personnel. In addition to the identified issues of providing psychological assistance by SES psychologists, which are fully covered and highlighted in the publications of scientists, the problem of regulatory and legal support for the activities of SES psychologists remains equally important. It should be noted that the activity of psychologists is regulated by several normative legal acts, namely the Civil Protection Code, namely Article 38 “Psychological Protection of the Population”, Order No. 747 of 31.07.2017 “On Approval of the Procedure for Psychological Support in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine”, which covers and regulates the activities of a psychologist with all categories of persons with whom a psychologist can work both within the service and with the affected population in the center of an emergency. As well as the Order of the SES of Ukraine of 29.11.2024 No. NS-1277 “On Approval of the Procedure for the SES Psychologists to Provide Emergency Psychological Assistance to Victims of Emergencies”. In terms of our theoretical research, in terms regarding the involvement of psychologists, the Order No. NS-1277 is of the greatest interest because it regulates the procedure for involving SES psychologists, defines interaction with psychologists from other departments, and identifies security measures for psychologists in wartime. Based on the results of the theoretical analysis of the defined regulatory framework, the article analysis the changes in the orders that regulated the activities of psychologists of the Ministry of Emergencies and later the SES of Ukraine. Based on the available publications, it is noted that the greatest impetus for the development and expansion of the regulatory framework was the amendment to the Civil Protection Code of 2012 and the subsequently the beginning of military operations in the eastern Ukraine, and subsequently a large-scale invasion. The article emphasizes the dynamics of changes in the regulatory framework governing the involvement of SES psychologists, the formation of consolidated groups of psychologists and the importance of observing security measures under martial law. However, the authors emphasize the importance of amending other regulatory legal acts regarding the regulation of psychologist's work in the current conditions, which in turn is more in line with modern conditions and takes into account the experience gained and the results of scientific work within the framework of modern psychological science. In turn, such updates will create a modern regulatory framework that will allow the use of experience and effective practices within the activities of psychologists of the SES of Ukraine.