Protecting the mental health of veterans and vulnerable groups in Ukraine

Context

When people experience war, violence and displacement, this often leaves deep psychological wounds. Such traumatic experiences can lead to anxiety disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts. It is therefore important that sufferers acknowledge their mental health issues as such and seek support.

Ukraine's healthcare system is facing major challenges as a result of the Russian war of aggression, and is unable to cope adequately with the mental strain on the population. There is a lack of gender-responsive psychosocial support for veterans, internally displaced persons, returnees and residents of host communities, as well as other vulnerable groups. Furthermore, those responsible require specialised expertise in order to treat the sufferers.

Objective

An appropriate range of services focusing on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is helping Ukrainians come to terms with their war experiences.

Approach

The project is training social workers, psychologists and other social service professionals so that they can better help people traumatised by war. It is receiving support from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA). This institution is developing specialist modules on war trauma and integrating them into the training of psychology professionals.

The project is also supporting special psychosocial services, including measures that promote MHPSS and raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV).

In collaboration with the International Medical Corps –a non-governmental organisation – it is improving the quality of GBV and MHPSS services for vulnerable and war-affected groups. At the same time, the project is also delivering psychosocial programmes with a focus on women and children to facilitate their (re)integration into the communities. Together with local non-governmental organisations, it is implementing training measures, tailored therapies and digital solutions that protect people's mental health and resilience.

Last update: December 2024