From 13 to 19 May, the Ukrainian Red Cross will provide psychosocial support activities as part of the European Mental Health Awareness Week.
Forced relocation from home, loss of housing, separation from loved ones, and living near the demarcation line or in the de-occupied territories - millions of Ukrainians have faced challenges they cannot cope with alone. The Ukrainian Red Cross, in cooperation with other National Societies, is carrying out the following activities under the program:
- Training for specialists in state education, social protection, civil service, etc.
- Consultations for the public by professional psychologists on the Ukrainian Red Cross hotline.
- Development of a support system for employees and volunteers, including training, coaching, and team meetings for support.
- Strengthening cooperation and coordination in the field of psychological health and psychosocial support with partners at the national and international levels.
In addition, we collaborate with the MHPSS Coordination Centre under the Cabinet of Ministers as part of the implementation of the "How are you?" programme, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska. One important aspect of the programme is a series of training sessions conducted jointly with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine and the State Agency of Ukraine for Arts and Art Education. These training sessions, aimed at teachers of art education institutions, are part of the "Art of Helping" Project and the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme "How are you?". Nearly 140 participants attended the first series of training sessions held in different cities across Ukraine. The second series of online training sessions on psychological first aid (PFA) is currently underway.
Since November 2022, the Ukrainian Red Cross, as an expert in the field of mental health and psychosocial support, has been implementing activities under the #EU4Health programme. This programme, supported by the European Commission, aims to provide quality and timely assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine.