Creating a safety net to heal psychological scars

Benjamin Bargetzi has founded a platform designed to strengthen the mental resilience of war victims. His project is ambitious – and is already well advanced.

Benjamin Bargetzi is a multi-talented individual. At just 32 years old, the tech and neuro-expert from Oberägeri is already a sought-after keynote speaker throughout Europe. He holds a master's degree in Cognitive Sciences/Brain Research and a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy, and has worked at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Google, and Amazon. Last year, he published a book that became a bestseller: "Nie wieder sinnlos” (Never meaningless again), which combines philosophy with psychology and neurobiology. He is also involved in several tech startups.

His latest project is called Mindguard (stylised as "MindGuard"), which can be translated as "Protection for the mind." Mindguard pursues the ambitious goal of supporting people in war zones in coping with mental health issues - initially focusing on Ukraine.

In conversation with Benjamin Bargetzi, you can quickly sense how important this topic is to him. He cites international data and powerfully points out that the mental health of soldiers and civilians is often overlooked in war reporting. According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), 9.6 million Ukrainians currently need mental health support. Only 3,000 trauma therapists remain in Ukraine – far too few to cope with the crisis.

Individually tailored programmes
The young entrepreneur describes Mindguard as a "mental resilience platform." His goal is to make scientifically proven methods for strengthening psychological resilience accessible in everyday life.
But what does that mean exactly? He aims to create an individually-tailored program for everyone affected by trauma. This might include, for example, sports and breathing exercises, self-reflective activities, or social interactions. BenjaminBargetzi calls these ‘micro-interventions’ – small actions and established routines in daily life that, in total, can increase well-being and reduce stress.

Benjamin Bargetzi (second from right) presented his project to Vitali Klitschko (left), the mayor of Kyiv
Benjamin Bargetzi (left) with a war veteran with a prosthetic leg
His launch event in Kyiv attracted a large audience.
Benjamin Bargetzi presents his project.            
He also had the opportunity to meet the mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi 
Photos: supplied

Initially, small financial incentives, funded by donations, serve as a "reward" and motivation. Benjamin Bargetzi says he often heard from veterans on the ground that financial insecurity after deployment is a major problem. The system is accessed via an app, and artificial intelligence (AI) assists with personalisation, pattern recognition, and scaling. “AI is deliberately not used as a therapist itself, but is purely in the background,” he emphasises.

He launched Mindguard in September 2025, and was able to present the project to NATO and EU organisations in Brussels, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and at the Munich Security Conference last winter. He is supported by an international scientific advisory board comprised of experts in psychiatry, neuroscience, and military psychology, and is also deepening his collaboration with clinics and NGOs in Ukraine.

Benjamin Bargetzi was also able to present his initiative to the former professional boxer and mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. The platform was launched in Kyiv in mid-April, and the program is now scheduled to be rolled out nationwide by the end of the year.

A scientific study is intended to demonstrate its effectiveness. As is often the case with startups, however, there have been delays, despite all the enthusiasm. The initiator, together with the Ukrainian government and local professors, planned a scientific study to demonstrate the app's effectiveness at a biological level, for example, by measuring reduced cortisol levels in saliva or improved sleep quality. But the study has not yet been carried out because the final approval from the relevant ministries is still pending. Fundraising for the veterans is also progressing considerably more slowly than hoped.

"The future of a country is not only decided on the front lines, but also within its families," says Benjamin Bargetzi. And a safety net is needed to heal psychological scars, especially in such a protracted and gruelling war. "Mental resilience is a non-negotiable and vital prerequisite for the reconstruction of Ukraine and Europe as a whole." If no initiative is taken regarding mental health, there is a risk of more accidents due to carelessness, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, acts of violence, and suicides. And the trauma will also affect future generations.

Benjamin Bargetzi is aware that his app cannot replace traditional therapy. "But our research has shown that many war veterans want uncomplicated, easily accessible support. They need practical, supportive, and user-friendly tools."

An expansion of the project is conceivable
The energetic entrepreneur seems to have no shortage of energy. The "Bilanz" magazine recently hailed him as a "Digital Shaper," writing: "Benjamin Bargetzi combines scientific depth with entrepreneurial speed." The 32-year-old has already invested CHF 150,000 of his own money in Mindguard. He adds that he collaborates with "renowned investors and family offices" across Europe.

Could his system also be used outside of Ukraine, for example, in other war zones, for rescue workers and police, or in the private sector to prevent burnout, depression, or anxiety disorders? "It's conceivable to implement the approach in other regions and sectors," he says, as the neurological mechanisms of stress, uncertainty, and strain are the same everywhere.

Nevertheless, the focus for the man from Oberägeri is currently on Ukraine, because the system must first prove its scientific effectiveness there. "I now know many people in Ukraine personally. This gives the project an additional emotional component," he explains. Benjamin Bargetzi's vision, which he repeatedly emphasises in his presentations, fits his latest project: "Technology must not replace people, but rather enhance them."