A Ukrainian family has moved into the white house in the neighborhood of Ivar Fammestad. The family moved in on a Friday. The following Sunday, a nice summer day in Bergen, he hears children laughing from the house. The sound was like music to his ears and Fammestad felt the tears roll. – Imagine hearing children’s laughter from someone who has escaped from war, he says, choked with tears. Although he thinks it’s lovely to hear the children’s laughter from that house, he has not forgotten why they are here. BOSNIA: Pictures from the war events in Ukraine evoke memories with the same pictures from the war that were almost 30 years ago. Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes / news Both Norwegian and foreign media have covered much of the invasion of Ukraine. Collapsed buildings, bombed quarters and desperate people. The ongoing war evokes memories of when he himself was a UN soldier in Bosnia. Contacting the Norwegian Veterans Association for International Operations (NVIO) has received an increase in inquiries from veterans, according to Secretary General Bjørn Robert Dahl. They have had a number of phone calls from those who want to help, and possibly go down to the war. But there have also been calls from those who think it has been difficult. – There are some who have described that there is a lot of war on the news and that it can be too much, Dahl says. Bad memories – It’s been a number of years with flashbacks. After the invasion of Ukraine, the memories have come more often, says Fammestad. PEACE CONSERVING FORCE: During the Bosnia War almost 30 years ago, Fammestad was part of the UN peacekeeping forces. He served in the war from 1994 to 1995. Photo: Privat Fammestad has struggled with nightmares for several years. He has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that occurs when the natural reactions to protecting us are not dampened again. Veterans affected A survey of Norwegian Afghanistan veterans showed an increase in the number of veterans with mental health problems. Extensive war coverage can be difficult for those struggling with PTSD. This is explained by Unni Heltne, senior adviser in the center for crisis psychology at UiB. – When very dramatic images come like this without warning, it becomes completely impossible for people who have these problems to shield themselves, she says. However, she advises people who are struggling to limit the time they spend in the media. THERAPY: For Fammestad, gardening is a form of therapy. It brings to mind other things. Photo: Siv Fossåskaret / news Secretary General Dahl also agrees that you have to sort out what you do not want to see. He also believes that this conflict has come at a time when everyone is extra vulnerable. After two years of pandemic and isolation, high electricity and fuel prices, there is a lot to keep track of. – We must take care to help people through this here. Not by taking over their problem, but by supporting them through it, Dahl says. Heavy to talk about It is difficult to talk about the experiences. The memories he has carried with him for almost 30 years have come closer. – They sit well in. That is why it costs to talk about it, he says. Fammestad hopes that we can show the refugees care and love. He explains that it is important to tread carefully because we do not know what they have experienced.
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The war coverage of Ukraine evokes painful memories for people with post-traumatic stress disorder – news Vestland
