Pineapple Support, the adult industry’s leading mental health nonprofit, will host a free, online support group for performers affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The weekly support group will be led by accredited therapist and counselor Sergei Malkin and will start on Wednesday, April 6th at 12pm CET, running for as long as needed.

“War has devastating effects and extreme destructive power, bringing uncertainty to the future,” says Malkin. “Traumatic events like this can wake up ‘forgotten’ or ‘viscerally stored’ memories of early developmental and attachment trauma, leading to anxiety and depression. At times like these, we need support and holding more than ever. A support group for others in a similar situation may provide a productive forum to share and validate feelings, grieve losses, exchange practical information and give each other hope and support.”

Pineapple Support was founded by British performer Leya Tanit in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, which is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 5000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling and emotional support.

“Sergei is a fantastic therapist and counselor, combining different approaches to help people find suitable tools in order to increase resilience and autonomy,” says Tanit. “He helps people to transform wounds into new resources and to find new ways to restore boundaries and self-esteem. Anyone who has been affected by the conflict in Ukraine is welcome to come and share a safe space where we can help you to build resilience and process what’s happening in a healthy way.”

The ongoing support group for performers affected by the conflict in Ukraine begins on Wednesday, April 6th at 12pm CET, and will take place online each Wednesday at the same time, running as long as is needed. For more information about this support group and to reserve a place, visit https://pineapplesupport.org/support-groups/.