Sleepless in Ukraine: Drone strikes and the rise of antidepressant use

Ukrainians are facing a growing mental health emergency, with near-nightly drone strikes fueling widespread sleep loss and compounding anxiety, depression and other stress-related disorders. The World Health Organization reported in February that nearly half the population is now experiencing mental health concerns.

Residents in cities such as Kyiv and Dnipro say the constant noise of drones, explosions and air raid alarms has become a nightly routine, pushing families into shelters or hallway beds. Many now rely on sedatives, antidepressants or coping rituals — but even those often fall short. In 2024, antidepressant sales in Ukraine rose by 46%, according to Liki24.com, one of the country’s major drug distributors.