KYIV, 11 October 2023 — According to a study conducted by the British company Alligator Digital in the framework of the Ukrainian Mental Health Programme “How are you?” at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska and with the support of the World Health Organization, every second Ukrainian feels emotionally worse than three years ago. This vividly reflects the psychological state of Ukrainian society and the impact of the war on it.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine together with the National Psychological Association (NPA) with generous financial support from the Government of Canada organized the third international “Mental Health: Ukraine. World. Future” conference, focused on supporting the mental health of Ukrainiansduring the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. One of the key tasks of the conference is to promote the normalization of seeking help and the popularization of evidence-based approaches to working with war trauma.

Iryna Mykychak, Director of Coordination of Central and Executive Government Bodies of the Coordination Centre for Mental Health at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, emphasized: “The transformation of the mental health system in Ukraine is primarily focused on the needs of each person, and on developing  psychosocial support services and making them available in every community of Ukraine. Thanks to the leadership of First Lady Olena Zelenska, the topic of preserving mental health has become prominent at national level. The government team, local government bodies, communities, the professional community, and the non-governmental sector are working together to create a coherent and effective system, rather than fragmented solutions. We are grateful to all international partners who are with us on this important road of struggle for freedom, for the recovery of Ukraine.”

UNDP Resident Representative Jaco Cilliers noted that UNDP is actively working to expand the availability of quality psychological services during the war. “This forum is a demonstrative example of how, together with our respected partners, we are opening up new opportunities for cooperation for the sake of restoring the mental health of Ukrainians.”

The conference included four panel discussions, which discussed science-based methods of countering the impact of thewar on mental state, supporting the mental health of veterans, the impact of military operations on the environment, and the consequences this may have for the mental health of Ukrainians, as well as the latest approaches to working with children who experience war.

The Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc was honoured to provide opening remarks at the international conference on Mental Health held on World Mental Health Day. “Ukrainians have been remarkable for their resilience against Russian war, atrocities and crimes of aggression, but there is also strength is recognising when support is needed and asking for help. Mental health support is a top priority for Ukraine. It is very important to support Ukrainians with their much needed mental services and facilities for veterans, internally displaced persons and their families.” 

“Canada is pleased to be supporting these professional discussions to share best practices and advice to understand how to appropriately adapt approaches for Ukrainians in need,” she said.

The conference brought together representatives of the government, Ukrainian and international specialists in the field of psychological sciences, practising psychotherapists and psychologists, representatives of UNDP and other specialists.

Background 

The conference was organized in partnership with the National Psychological Association with the assistance of UNDP in Ukraine and financial support from the Government of Canada, provided within the framework of the Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme.

Media enquiries

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications at UNDP Ukraine; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org