A summary of the 38th Annual International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Presidential Panel: How the traumatic stress community can assist individuals affected by the war in Ukraine

Abstract

As the premier global traumatic stress society, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) has an important role to play in educating and raising awareness about the consequences of traumatic events, such as the war in Ukraine. On November 12, 2022, during its 38th annual meeting, the ISTSS hosted an invited Presidential Panel, chaired by Ananda Amstadter during her term as ISTSS President, that brought together trauma experts Peter Ventevogel, Marit Sijbrandij, Vitalii Klymchuck, Iryna Frankova, and Angela Nickerson to highlight how traumatic stress professionals can assist individuals affected by the war in Ukraine. The present paper summarizes the key points from the panel and discusses future challenges anticipated for people affected by the war.