In the aftermath of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, mental health has become a critical concern. MSF psychologists have been working tirelessly to provide tailored psychological support to patients in need, delivering a total of 26,324 individual mental health consultations between 2022 and 2023.
These consultations took place both in hospitals and mobile clinics that reached out to people in areas regained by the Ukrainian army, as well as small villages near conflict zones in regions like Kherson, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv.
In these areas, where basic needs like clean water, food, and healthcare are often scarce, mental health may take a back seat. With medical facilities destroyed and no medical staff available, the elderly population is particularly vulnerable. They are unable to leave due to mobility issues and face constant stress and worry that can exacerbate existing health problems like cardiovascular disease and insomnia.
MSF psychologists work tirelessly in mobile clinics to educate patients on the importance of mental health and its impact on overall well-being. They provide guidance on improving sleep patterns, managing anxiety and tension, and offer psycho-educational training to communities on stress management. By offering basic techniques for mental health support they aim to prevent the onset of health problems and mental disorders.
While group sessions and individual consultations help many patients stabilize their emotions, more complex cases require long-term care. For example, MSF psychologists offered support to survivors of a devastating missile attack in a café in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, in eastern Ukraine in October 2023. The shelling resulted in tragic losses for each of the 15 families residing in the village – a small community with just 330 residents according to authorities and the UN.
Despite these challenges MSF continues its efforts towards improving access to mental health care for those affected by conflict in Ukraine.
