Polish aid

One of the consequences of the full-scale war that broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, the mass migration of people fleeing from hostilities, and forced internal displacements in the areas occupied by the Russian Federation is the dramatic decline in the psychological condition of the citizens of Ukraine. According to the Mental Health Assessment research conducted by the World Health Organisation, Ukrainians live in the state of anxiety, moral exhaustion and tiredness. The research revealed a significant growth in response to stress, including sleep problems, sadness, excessive alertness, difficulties in concentrating, mood swings, bodily pains and apathy, while 26% of the respondents showed signs of depression.

In order to improve the psychological wellbeing of the citizens of Ukraine, Caritas Polska has been implementing in the country a two-year project titled “Improving the quality of and access to psychological support for children and their families in Family Support Centres in Kharkov, Odessa, Zhytomyr, and Vinnitsa in Ukraine”.The project is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland under the Polish Aid programme and consists of two modules. The first module, worth over PLN 2,200,000, was implemented from June to December 2024, while the second one, worth over PLN 2,800,000, will be carried out from January to December 2025.

As part of the project, in 2024 four Family Support Centres were established and equipped in Kharkov, Odessa, Zhytomyr, and Vinnitsa. At least 2,000 people can obtain there comprehensive psychological care for adults, adolescents, and children in the form of psychological and diagnostic consultations, individual and group psychotherapy sessions, and psychosocial support. Supplementing crisis support and psychological first aid provided in wartime, the project improves access to specialised assistance for persons suspected to suffer from disorders and mental illnesses by referring them to specialists and covering the costs of transport and medicines.Additionally, the centres offer speech therapists’ assistance, while parents and carers can benefit from support groups and workshops aimed at improving their childcare skills. The project also includes organising specialist training in, among others, crisis intervention and psychopathology, as well as supervisory support for the centres’ staff. Moreover, in 2024, the most vulnerable families, including internally displaced ones, received financial support.

To learn more about the project listen to the Polish Aid podcast: https://polish-aid.simplecast.com/episodes/wojna-w-ukrainie-niszczy-ciala-i-dusze