Interdisciplinary Report Launch on 'MHPSS in Ukraine: Coping, Help-Seeking and Health Systems Strengthening in Times of War'

Two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the war is continuing to have a devastating impact on the mental health and psychosocial well-being of Ukrainian communities.

To respond to this challenge, strengthening infrastructure for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) has emerged as a central priority of the Ukrainian Government’s strategy, as endorsed by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska.

As Ukrainian and international organisations shift their efforts to contribute to the reconstruction of MHPSS services in Ukraine, it is critical that they do so in a way that builds on the policies and infrastructure that existed pre-war and how historical armed conflicts, mass casualties and traumatic events have shaped the present-day needs of the Ukrainian population.

Report Launch on MHPSS in Ukraine
In partnership with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, ARQ International is pleased to launch an interdisciplinary desk review, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Ukraine: Coping, Help-Seeking and Health Systems Strengthening in Times of War. The report provides an overview of the historical, cultural, health, and humanitarian factors essential for understanding the traumatic impact of war on the Ukrainian population and developing responses that incorporate localised idioms of distress, help-seeking behaviours, and sources of resilience. During the webinar, the co-authors will present the report and recommendations, followed by a discussion.

Featured panelists:

• Anna Goloktionova, PS Centre MHPSS Technical Advisor, IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, Denmark.

• Iryna Frankova, Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije University Amsterdam; Senior Researcher, ARQ Centrum 45, the Netherlands; Assistant at the Department of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine.

• Orest Suvalo, CEO of the Institute of Mental Health at Ukrainian Catholic University; Coordinator of Community-based Mental Health Services Development at the “Mental Health for Ukraine” project; Co-Chair of Lviv region local Mental Health and Psychosocial Support group, Ukraine.