MSF psychologists provide vital support to trauma-stricken communities in conflict-torn Ukraine

In the midst of ongoing conflict in Ukraine, MSF psychologists are providing vital psychological support to those in need. In 2022 and 2023, they conducted a total of 26,324 individual mental health consultations. These consultations took place not only in medical facilities but also in mobile clinics that offer medical and psychological care to people in areas retaken by the Ukrainian army and small villages near conflict zones in the Kherson, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv regions.

The constant stress and worry faced by the elderly population in these regions can exacerbate existing health problems such as cardiovascular disease and insomnia. MSF psychologists educate patients on the importance of mental health and its impact on their overall well-being. They offer advice on improving sleep quality, managing anxiety and tension, and provide psycho-educational training to communities on dealing with stress. These basic techniques and support can help prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease and mental disorders.

While group psychoeducation sessions and individual consultations can help stabilize the emotional state of many patients, more complex cases may require long-term support. For instance, MSF psychologists offered psychological assistance to survivors of a missile attack on a café in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, in eastern Ukraine in early October 2023. The attack resulted in the loss of loved ones for each of the 15 families residing in the village according to authorities and the UN.

MSF’s work is crucial as it provides much needed psychological support to those affected by war. Their efforts are helping to improve the emotional well-being of individuals who have been traumatized by conflict and lack access to basic needs like clean water, food, healthcare