Difficulties faced by Ukrainian teachers during the wartime and coping with emotions

Morita Therapy Study Group for Ukraine Teachers (Part 1)

The Morita Therapy Study Group aims to help Ukrainian teachers to cope with stress from the war, and we started this group activity from March 2024.

The Morita therapy training group included 13 teachers from different regions of Ukraine – east (Luhansk region), west (Khmelnytsky region, Zakarpattia region), center (Poltava region, Dnipro region), and south (Kherson region, Mykolaiv region). All of them have between 15 and 30 years of experience and were in their regions when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. As a result of the danger, two teachers were forced to leave (from Dnipropetrovska oblast and Kherson oblast) for foreign countries (France, Poland). The rest of the teachers remained in their territories, where they face daily wartime difficulties – shelling, physical loss of relatives and friends, lack of electricity and water, and a significant deterioration in living and learning conditions. Therefore, the Morita therapy training group, which was established in 2024, is an important tool for restoring the psychological health of teachers.

Before this group study started, we conducted an online survey in January 2024 to understand the needs of the teachers, and received responses from 506 teachers in several days.It was a surprise to us and we think it showed the teachers` strong needs for psychological support. We alsohelda meeting with some teachers in February, wherevarious opinions were given. A detailed analysis is to be published later, and it was observed that despite the worsening mental conditions caused by the war, teachers have become accustomed to coping with stress and have made various efforts to cope with it. On the other hand, teachers told us various of difficulties, which can be seeing as expectations to cope with difficulties.Below difficulties were observed.

At an individual level, there are

1, The first difficulty is “Fear of dying (including oneself, others and frontline warriors) in daily life, anxiety, unstable and negative mental state, while positive emotions are lacking”. These can be seen as expectations as, they want to control negative emotions such as fear and anxiety,and want to increase positive emotions. So our group study will start from `How to deal with emotions.’

2, The second difficulty is “Accumulation of fatigue (lack of internal energy) in daily life. The causes, apart from the above-mentioned emotional exhaustion, are the teachers’ very few holidays and their multiple roles (teacher, parent, friend and counsellor of the students)”. This can be seen as an expectation as: to build up internal energy.

3, The third difficulty is“Hard to find meaning in life and work”.This can be seen as an expectation as: want to find meaning in living and work.

At the environmental level, there are

4, The fourth difficulty is“impoverishment of the physical environment (no water, no gas, minimal survival living, living in shelters, sirens).”This can be seen as expectation as “want to maintain mental health in such an environment”.

5, The fifth difficultyis“impoverishment of the mental environment (lack of constructive communication between people, existence of acts and ideas that show moral degradation)”. This creates a feeling of isolation in people. This can be seen as expectations as“want to create constructive communication between hearts and minds, do not want their energy to be taken up by feelings of disappointment at moral degradation”.

Our group worktakes into account the above difficulties and expectations. And together we want to create a ‘Ukrainian Morita therapy’. Because today Ukraine is in the middle of the new type of hybrid war and no psychotherapy can be effective here just as they are. I wish every teacher in our study group or learn from this article to become an expert in this creative’Ukrainian Morita Therapy’. We wish you have more strength to live better yourselves, to become more resilient and to help those around you.

Basic theory of Morita therapy

Let`sintroduce the basic theory of Morita therapy.Morita therapy is a psychotherapy for ‘neuroses’, founded by Japanese psychiatrist, Doctor Morita 100 years ago. It is used as an effective psychotherapy in all over the world.

Let`s look at the problem origin and the measures. Firstly, within the human mind, there coexists the “fear of death” and the “desire for life.” Various anxieties can be seen as reflections of the fear of death. Behind the fear of death, there is always a desire for life. If the desire for life is strong, the fear of death becomes stronger as well. These are natural elements, like the two sides of one coin. Secondly, if someone tries to eliminate the fear of death, it may intensify, leading to a vicious cycle. Then the problem occurs. Thirdly, there`re two measures, 1. Be aware of and accept emotions such as fear consciously, and 2. Demonstrate the desire for life through actions. Let`s go on to see the details.

First, the problem origins. Fear of death is the deepest problem, but both fear of death and desire for life are natural, and every fear has a desire.So fear should not be eliminated, or you will eliminate and deny your desire for life.

Second, what exacerbates the problem? There are two vicious circles to exacerbate the problem, which are eliminatingunpleasant emotions, sensations and thoughts.

1) Vicious circle between attention and sensation

If you attention is directed towards unpleasant emotions and sensations, and you want to get rid of them, your attention willthen lead to stronger emotions and sensations. Then the emotions and sensations will also lead to more of your attention.

(2) Vicious circle as “contradiction of thoughts”

There is difference between “who I should be” and “who I am now”. If one tries hard to become “who I should be”, and eliminate “who I am now”, then he will fall into contradiction of thoughts.

Third, how to cope with fear, as well as other negative emotions and symptoms? In Morita Therapy, we have measures as,

1) Be aware of our emotions and acknowledge or accept them

We recognize the emotions underlying the symptoms (e.g. anxiety, fear, shame, guilt, etc.), and then try to acknowledge or accept our emotions as they are.To accept negative emotions and thoughts is sometimes very painful and impossible, so at least we acknowledge them and don`t try to push them away. Then according to the rule of emotions, the emotions will naturally fade out, peaceful mind will revisit you.

2) Demonstrate the desire for life in real life

Morita Therapy encouragingpeople taking constructive actions, which can be done at the moment, and not hard to conduct. Don`t expect perfectness, just take small actions when you feel you want to.

Also, reconsider our way of life is important. Escape from ‘the way things should be’, but to deal with things flexibly and according to the facts.

Finally, what is the criteria for judging action and way of life?

Just ask yourself, ‘Are they natural?’ (or say, as it is? In Japanese, Arugamama). Don`t evaluate it as “valuable/worthwhile or not”, only if it is moral, just do it. The smallest action, for example having a nap or a better meal, will give you strength and hope.

Coping with emotions

The above is an overview of the theory of Morita therapy. In the future, I would like to introduce the theory in more detail by dividing it into several topics. We will then consider together with you how we can apply it in real life.Next, we will move on to coping with emotions.

1, Morita Therapy and emotions

Morita therapy emphasizes the importance of addressing emotions. It is a treatment method that works on emotions.Why does Morita therapy emphasize emotions?

A lot of mental problems originate from believing that certain sensations and emotions are abnormal and trying to eliminate them.That means deceiving your emotions. However, you don’t have to do such an unreasonable thing; you can just face the feelings you are afraid of. In fact, by accepting emotions as natural, we no longer need to get caught up in them.

2,Emotions` nature

1) Emotions are natural phenomenon within humans and cannot be controlled by will.

Emotions that arise, such as nervousness in front of others, depression, anxiety, etc., are a natural part of human nature, and cannot be changed even if we try to change them.

2) It is impossible to selectively avoid feeling the emotions you dislike, such as anxiety, fear, and shame. Similarly, you cannot choose to feel only joy and pleasure.

Especially for nervous people, there is no emotion as unpleasant as symptoms or anticipatory fear.But just as we cannot eliminate them by our own will, we cannot feel pleasant emotions such as joy and enjoyment by our own will either.

3) It is unnecessary to judge the value of any emotion as good or bad. No matter how you feel, you don’t have to blame yourself for it.

Emotions are a natural phenomenon, just like the weather that occurs at that time, and we have no choice but to accept them or acknowledge them as they are. Just as we are not responsible for the weather, there is no need to blame ourselves.

3, Emotions` changing processes

1) If emotions are left alone or allowed to flow naturally, their course will form a chevron-shaped curve, rising and falling one step at a time until they finally disappear.

No matter how happy or sad you feel, they don’t last forever; if you leave them alone, they will eventually disappear on their own.In other words, the emotions that arise are a natural phenomenon, just like the weather, so the only thing you can do is leave them alone.

2) Emotions become dull and insensitive when we become accustomed to the same sensation.

You may feel tired and painful to get up early in the morningin order to catch the electricity at first, but if you keep at it, it will become a habit.It becomes less painful. No matter how painful the trials are, if you endure them and persevere, you will get used to them and they will no longer be so painful.

3) Emotions become stronger when our attention is focused on it.

For example, if you get nervous in front of others, have a hoarse voice, or have tremors in your legs, if you try too hard not to tremble, the important conversation will take a backseat and you will end up focusing on your tremors. However, the symptoms become more and more severe.

4) Emotions are acquired through new experiences, and are further cultivated through repetition.

For example, a person with anxiety neurosis who is unable to ride a vehicle can still reach their destination by boarding a train, even if they have an anticipated fear and heart palpitates. If you repeat the experience of being able to ride the train and acknowledge the accomplishment (fact) of taking the plunge and accomplishing your goal, you will gain confidence. On the other hand, if you only focus on anticipated fear and pain, your fear of vehicles will become even stronger.

4,Relationship of emotions and actions

1) Emotions cannot be controlled by one`s will, but actions can be.

For example, a person with social phobia who says, “I get nervous in front of people and can’t talk” is able to talk about his symptoms at a group meeting even though he is nervous. It happens often. In other words, the act of “talking” is something you can definitely do as long as you have the will.

2) When you take the necessary action whilefeeling unpleasant emotions, the emotions will naturally flow away and only the fact that you took the action will remain.

When you take the necessary action while feeling unpleasant emotions such as fear and anxiety, a new feeling of accomplishment will arise.At the same time, the fact that you took the action and its results will remain, while unpleasantemotions will be swept away.

3) Emotions often change through actions. But actions cannot be used to changeemotions.

When we think “if you take action, your fear will go away,” we will end up thinking of actions as a way to cure ourfear and anxiety etc., in other words, as a way to change our emotions. It`s like putting the cart before the horse.

5,Ukrainian ways of coping with emotions (our suggestions)

1) When fear and anxiety arise, accept them as natural and wait for them to subside (minutes, hours…). However, in case of very strong fear/anxiety or if you are very tired, it is good to freeze them for a time. (What do you think? Have you had good or bad experiences?)

2) Teachers should not be ashamed to feel fear and anxiety and to express them moderately in front of students, beingthe one ‘as I am’ (Arugamama). This allows teachers to empathize with students and have good communication. (Results from the questionnaire. What do you think? Have you had good or bad experiences?)

3) Do somethingyou can, despite of fear and anxiety. For example, absorbed in work or other tasks. It is important not to think that ‘doing this will make the fear go away’ when you are doing actions.

Thus, as the survey and trainings for Ukrainian teachers during the war showed, Morita therapy is an effective means of restoring teachers’ mental health. It allows for the development of techniques and methods to overcome fear and manage emotions in stressful situations. Teachers who master these techniques will be able to help their students, and their joint communication will be more productive.

Acknowledgement:

I would like to give thanks to the great support from Professor Olha Nikolenko at the Poltava V.G. Korolenko National Pedagogical Universityand Teacher and PhD student Kateryna Nikolenko at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Also thanks for the supports from Mental Health Okamoto Memorial Foundation, Advisor Kiyoaki Okamoto of the Seikatsu-no-hakkenkai and Professor Susumu Nonaka at Saitama University.

References

Discovering Life NPO (2021). Learning Series by Basic Type Learning Instructors and Teachers.

Kitanishi, K. (2005). The philosophical background of Morita Therapy: Its application to therapy. In W. S. Tseng, S. C. Chang, & M. Nishizono (Eds.), Asian culture and psychotherapy (pp. 169–185). University of Hawaii Press: Hawaii.

Kitanishi, K &Nakamura, K. (2005).Psychotherapy Primers ‘Morita Therapy’.Minerva Shobo: Kyoto.

Danning Zhao