Invisible Wounds: War Crimes and Psychological Trauma in War Torn Ukraine

When

Friday November 7, 2025: 6:00pm to 7:30pm  Add to Calendar /   Add to Google Calendar

Where

Downtown Library: 4th Floor Program Room

Description

This event spotlights the efforts underway to provide counseling and support for children in war torn areas like Ukraine. Arah Javanbakht will present his research on the psychological toll of war on Ukrainian refugees and civilians. Professor Michele Heisler will speak about her time in Ukraine working with Ukrainian doctors on how to do medico-legal documentation of tortures.  

Arash Javanbakht, MD, is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, founding director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is nationally known for his clinical and research work on anxiety, trauma, and PTSD. He is heavily involved in treatment of civilians, refugees, and first responders with PTSD. 

Michele Heisler, MD, MPA is the medical director at Physicians for Human Rights and a professor of internal medicine and of public health at the University of Michigan. Dr. Heisler’s research has applied rigorous health services research approaches to investigate and promote health equity and human rights among vulnerable populations. An expert in the Istanbul Protocol (IP), she has conducted hundreds of IP-based medico-legal evaluations of survivors of torture and trainings for clinicians.

This event is in partnership with the Ukrainian National Women's League of America.