PHILOSOPHY AND MENTAL HEALTH.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The paper aims to examine the relationship between philosophy and mental health. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The authors used integrative anthropological approach, interpretive research paradigm, hermeneutical approach. The data collection was carried out using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar databases. Research papers were identified according to search terms: "mental health", "philosophy", "Ancient philosophy", "Epicureanism", "Stoicism", "Eastern philosophy", "Buddhism", "Taoism", "psychology", "psychotherapy", "anxiety", "depression", "happiness", "mindfulness", "meaning in life". CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Attempts to cope with life challenges, frustration, fear, anxiety, stress should not be isolated endeavors, but they need to be placed in a wider philosophical context, as far as every issue, including mental health issues, has a philosophical perspective at its core. Such experience can cultivate human strength, self-confidence, awareness, empathy. In times of uncertainty, when we do not know where to go, when we do not understand who we are and what is our purpose on earth, philosophy helps us to find our way. In the most difficult times, philosophy acts as a guiding star and consolation reconciling us with what we are unable to change.

ON WAR, UNCERTAINTY, AND FUTURE: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE EASTERN PHILOSOPHY.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The paper aims to examine the relationship between uncertainty and plans for the future in traumatic situations such as war, as well as the role of the Eastern philosophy and its practical implications in managing uncertainty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The authors used integrative anthropological approach, interpretive research paradigm, hermeneutical approach along with narrative approach. The data collection was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar databases. Research papers were identified according to search terms "uncertainty", "mental health", "health", "refugee", "anxiety", "depression", "war", "future", "Eastern philosophy", "mindfulness". CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Bearing a set of negative beliefs about uncertainty and reacting negatively to uncertain and unpredictable situations, individuals fall into a vicious cycle of uncertainty fueled by their fear of uncertainty. Uncertainty takes us to the future that seems threatening or returns us to the world of primordial chaos. In both cases, we are not in the present moment, "here and now". As far as we have no control over the past and future, we feel helpless and experience fear, anxiety, depression. Returning to the present gives us back control over the situation. By expanding the range of possible visions of the future, we stop focusing on the worst-case scenario. By accepting the situation and realizing what is subject to our control and what is not, we learn to comfort uncertainty by elaborating possible futures taking into account both our desires and the current situation. Our thoughts and actions today determine our tomorrow. We cannot overcome uncertainty since it is ontologically predetermined. But we can manage our responses to uncertainty turning to the Eastern philosophy thereby maintaining our mental and physical health and expanding the functional field of human capabilities to achieve freedom and self-realization.

PERCEPTION OF TIME PERSPECTIVE IN WIDOWS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER THE LOSS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the loss of a loved one on the perception of subjective time as well as analyse the changes occurring during the psychological care programme, in which special attention was given to finding a new meaning in life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study was undertaken with 240 wives of deceased law enforcement officers. The age of the respondents ranged from 28 to 56 years. According to the results of the analysis of personal data and interviews obtained during the empirical study, experimental and control groups were formed - 32 women who had been widows for up to one year and expressed a desire to receive psychological assistance formed an experimental group (EG), while 34 others formed a control group (CG). They subsequently participated in the formative part of the experiment which provided 10 months of psychological support with preliminary and repeated psycho-diagnostic testing. RESULTS: Results: The article theoretically analyses studies by foreign and domestic experts on a person's perception of his psychological time under the influence of emotional trauma. It presents the results of a comparative experimental psychological examination of the widows of law enforcement officers to determine the tendency for changes in the perception of the time perspective while experiencing grief. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: A break caused by a loss, especially that of a loved one, disrupts a holistic view of life. Such breaks result in mental health problems, which in turn impact social relations and social realisation. Timely psychological assistance helps solve problems of legitimising behavioural change and accumulating resources for adapting to changing life scenarios.