Angels For Ukraine’s Post

It's not easy to do simple things. I didn't expect us to connect so deeply during this online study visit on mental health to Odesa. 🦋 And yet, we did. The visit was both informative and transformative. The article says a little more about the different aspects which were addressed, in particular: ✅the reintegration of veterans ✅how to increase resilience and some level of normalcy in children's daily lives 🌟 Original idea: AER Working Group Chair Daniel Schützer, Region Värmland (SE) 🌟 Host region: Odesa (UA) 🌟 Moderation & support in organisation: Kaltum H. , Värmland (SE) 🌟 Support from day 1: Youth Regional Network 🌱 If you would like to support Odesa to address current and future mental health needs, please check the link below for more information on how to help. #PolicyLearning #KnowledgeTransfer #PeerLearning #Regions #Europe

#CorridorsPublications We are proud to announce the publication of "Guidelines for Trauma Sensitivity in Peacebuilding and Community Work," now available in both Armenian and English on the Corridors website (https://lnkd.in/dxrXQp9x). Developed in collaboration with the Research and Training Institute for Sustainable Development Armenia, the Republican Pedagogical Psychological Centre of Armenia, and other individuals, this guideline is a comprehensive resource for practitioners working in post-conflict communities. It covers the nuances of psychological #trauma, conflict-induced traumas, and the importance of trauma-informed approaches in peace and #community work. 🔆 The guideline emphasizes the critical role of #safety, understanding the nature of trauma, and the specific challenges within the Armenian and Georgian contexts. It provides practical recommendations for trauma-sensitive work, aiming to equip peacebuilding organizations, NGOs, and CSOs with the knowledge to implement the "do no harm" principle effectively. We will continue exploring these themes in our future posts, shedding light on the significance of trauma sensitivity in fostering resilient and peaceful communities. Moreover, this publication serves as a reminder of the global psychological impact of war and the importance of addressing both visible and invisible wounds in the process of community #healing and rebuilding. By adopting a trauma-sensitive approach, we can ensure our interventions are meaningful and contribute positively to the post-traumatic growth of individuals and communities alike. Lastly, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Foundation Tbilisi Office – South Caucasus Region for financially supporting this project. Your support is crucial in our efforts to make a difference in the lives of those affected by #conflict and trauma. ✨ #TraumaSensitivity #CommunityWork #SouthCaucasus #PostConflictTrauma #PTSD

🚨 Introducing Julie Bernath's new project "Supporting the Psychosocial and Mental Wellbeing of Displaced Syrian Women Dealing with Ambiguous Loss (SUPPSAL)". In the ongoing Syrian conflict, thousands of women are navigating the complexities of forced displacement and the enforced disappearance of their loved ones. SUPPSAL aims to better identify and support the mental health and psychosocial support needs of these women - focusing on the contexts of Lebanon, Northern Syria, and Germany.   To do so, SUPPSAL draws from the concept of "ambiguous loss", which captures how loved ones grapple with the uncertainties of the fate of their disappeared relatives, and uses feminist and participatory research methods.    Learn more 👇 https://lnkd.in/ejetvKQZ

🚨 The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in an estimated 15 million people needing psychosocial support, with millions potentially requiring medical treatment. A very severe problem is that access to mental health services continues to be impeded by stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations. Psychosocial support is extremely important for those, especially children experiencing conflict, displacement, family separation, witnessing atrocities, and other life-threatening events. 📢 It is paramount to raise awareness about the importance of early psychological support and provide information on common signs, symptoms, and reactions to stress and distress. The need for psychological support is greater than ever. 💔 Failure to provide children from Ukraine with proper treatment and adequate support may result in long-lasting effects that can negatively impact not only themselves but also their families and communities. 🧡 🌍 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) recognized Mental health and psychological support as a crucial and lifesaving emergency response. That is why thousands of volunteers and staff members of the National Red Cross Societies have taken part in the Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) training. Assistance is provided in Ukrainian and other languages through diverse platforms, including helplines, mobile outreach, and in-person group activities. 🫶 Read more on Psychological First Aid provided through helplines below: https://ow.ly/iGVf50Rsvtx #EU4Health #IFRC #PsychosocialFirstAid #PFA

The second day of the Mental Health Forum was opened by His Excellency Ambassador of the United States to Poland, Mark Brzezinski. Ambassador Brzezinski iterated his unequivocal praise for the measures that Poland are taking to support #mentalhealth in the country, and the financial support which has been announced. “The US government has chosen to support this mental health forum because we care about the people of Poland. And this is a struggle here and mental health care is a struggle in the United States. I’m so proud of the WHO, I’m so proud of the Polish Government, I’m so proud of the US Embassy for joining together on this conference together. Because the first step is to bring together people who have knowledge, resources and who care about the issue.” The day continued with a session reflecting on the two-year Ukraine refugee health response. An unprecedented event after eight decades of peace in Europe, Poland swiftly mobilized to meet the mental health needs of millions of refugees fleeing conflict in their homeland. The discussion touched upon lessons learned about future preparedness and the shift to a protracted emergency. Building on yesterday’s discussion, a panel of Polish and international experts discussed how to work across sectors to improve mental health care. A key theme is how to engage service users and their families into the design and improvement of services. Stigma remains a major barrier, with 60% of Polish people who expressed a need for mental health services saying that they were deterred from seeking help due to stigma. We heard about how the media can play a role in this, both as help and hindrance. Forensic psychiatry has been identified as a key area for the transformation of Polish mental health. We heard from experts about the systematic challenges and solutions for the treatment of children, young people and adults. The forum ended with the identification and confirmation of key priorities for the Intersectoral Roadmap for National Mental Health followed by concluding remarks from the Ministry of Health and WHO Country Office in Poland. Nino Berdzuli Ledia Lazeri Jason Maurer Yannish Naik Ionela Petrea Sophie Scott Joanna Brzezińska Olga Khan

The war waged by russia on Ukraine will not end in ‘two or three weeks’. To be able to work, volunteer, keep a cool mind and unwavering confidence in victory, you need to learn how to maintain your mental health and know when and whom to ask for help. 👨👧👦 Self-help and self-diagnosis skills are especially important for young people. The way young people cope with the challenges of the war today will determine what their lives will be like tomorrow. In other words, how they will work, raise children, and build a career. Finally, whether they will feel happy. 🙏 A system of support and assistance for this age group is being developed by researchers at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. With grant funding from the NRFU, they are implementing the project ‘An Innovative Model of Protecting the Mental Health of Student Youth in the War and Post-War Periods’. 💬 What is this model of protecting mental health and how exactly do they plan to create it? Iryna Pinchuk, PI of the project and Director of the Institute of Psychiatry of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, tells us about this. 📲 Details: https://lnkd.in/d3NY7j_V National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU)

The war waged by russia on Ukraine will not end in ‘two or three weeks’. To be able to work, volunteer, keep a cool mind and unwavering confidence in victory, you need to learn how to maintain your mental health and know when and whom to ask for help. 👨👧👦 Self-help and self-diagnosis skills are especially important for young people. The way young people cope with the challenges of the war today will determine what their lives will be like tomorrow. In other words, how they will work, raise children, and build a career. Finally, whether they will feel happy. 🙏 A system of support and assistance for this age group is being developed by researchers at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. With grant funding from the NRFU, they are implementing the project ‘An Innovative Model of Protecting the Mental Health of Student Youth in the War and Post-War Periods’. 💬 What is this model of protecting the mental health and how exactly do they plan to create it? Iryna Pinchuk, PI of the project and Director of the Institute of Psychiatry of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, tells us about this. 📲 Details: https://lnkd.in/d3NY7j_V #TheWinnersOfTheNRFU

"What happens when we depoliticise mental health and how can we rethink the role of health professionals in the context of solidarity with Palestine?" An interesting panel discussing the concept of “political neutrality” in mental health care, especially in relation to war and military colonial occupation. #MHPSS #decolonisementalhealth #Palestine https://lnkd.in/evwSwhpd

🚨 The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in an estimated 15 million people needing psychosocial support, with millions potentially requiring medical treatment. A very severe problem is that access to mental health services continues to be impeded by stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations. Psychosocial support is extremely important for those, especially children experiencing conflict, displacement, family separation, witnessing atrocities, and other life-threatening events. 📢 It is paramount to raise awareness about the importance of early psychological support and provide information on common signs, symptoms, and reactions to stress and distress. The need for psychological support is greater than ever. 💔 Failure to provide children from Ukraine with proper treatment and adequate support may result in long-lasting effects that can negatively impact not only themselves but also their families and communities. 🧡 🌍 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC recognized Mental health and psychological support as a crucial and lifesaving emergency response. That is why thousands of volunteers and staff members of the National Red Cross Societies have taken part in the Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) training. Assistance is provided in Ukrainian and other languages through diverse platforms, including helplines, mobile outreach, and in-person group activities. 🫶 Read more on Psychological First Aid provided through helplines below: https://ow.ly/1OWA50Rsvty #EU4Health #IFRC #PsychosocialFirstAid #PFA

Despite the effects of military sexual trauma (MST) on those who have experienced it, many do not report what happened, nor do they seek out treatment. Those who do often will drop out of treatment. The JMVFH - The Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health recently published an article on Increasing understanding of the barriers of military-sexual-trauma-related reporting and treatment seeking in Canada, which highlights conversations that have taken place within the MST Community of Practice. Read the article here: atl-as.ca/jmvfh-2023-0021