The Ministry of Internal Affairs joined the creation of a unique system of psychological assistance for Ukrainians
Yesterday there was a strategic session of the Interdepartmental Coordinating Council on Mental Health Care and Psychological Assistance to Persons Affected by the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. First Lady Elena Zelenska, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko, representatives of a number of ministries and departments, the Verkhovna Rada, international organizations and experts joined the discussion of the issues.
The event was held within the framework of the work on the National Program for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, the creation of which was initiated by Elena Zelenska.
To identify target groups that may need psychological help and psychosocial support, the participants worked in teams. Yesterday's findings will be used to develop the National Mental Health Program.
Addressing a welcoming speech, the First Lady urged participants to focus on a people-centered approach in developing mental health services. She stressed that it is necessary to create its own model and a unique system that will absorb all the most effective that exists in the world and will be as adapted to Ukrainian realities as possible.
“Healing the psychological wounds left by war is also an important part of our victory. And that's the case with our National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program. Psychological assistance should become as ubiquitous as medical care. So that absolutely every inhabitant of the country could use it. But at the same time you need to understand that no one will give us 100 percent answers and recommendations. Because no one knows our situation and our people the way we do,” the President's wife said.
Among the target groups was defined - “defense and security”. These are all defenders and defenders, in particular those who were in captivity, were wounded, tortured, lost relatives, veterans, combatants and members of their families.
“Employees of the security and defense sector, in particular the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, are subjected to a double psychological burden: they serve in an enhanced version, some directly participate in hostilities, and at the same time they work with people who have suffered from the war,” said Kateryna Pavlichenko.
The Deputy Minister stressed that in its work, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is actively working on the creation of a unique system of psychological assistance for Ukrainians, which will be maximally adapted to the current situation.
Recall: The National Program of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support is an initiative of First Lady Elena Zelenskaya, which aims to help citizens overcome the stress associated with the war and the consequences of traumatic events experienced, prevent the development of mental disorders. The development and implementation of the program is coordinated by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in close cooperation with Ukrainian and international experts. The initiative is implemented with the support of the World Health Organization.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
