Starting this year, Ukrainian Red Cross psychologists will provide support in 23 regions

In a time when each day brings new challenges, the role of psychologists becomes crucial in restoring and maintaining the mental health of citizens. Psychologists working with the Ukrainian Red Cross Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team play a vital role in helping those affected by psychological trauma on the path to recovery.

The main areas of work for psychologists of the Ukrainian Red Cross:

• Psychological support for victims

Psychologists provide professional assistance to individuals affected by war, natural disasters, or other crisis situations. This support may be offered on an individual or group basis, particularly in cases involving trauma, loss of loved ones, loss of home, or other distressing experiences.

• Psychoeducational (awareness-raising) activities

Psychologists conduct activities for local communities and victims to enhance adaptive skills, foster emotional resilience, and help cope with stress.

• Prevention and early intervention

Psychologists work to detect and address mental health issues at early stages, organising activities to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly in the context of protracted crises.

• Support for volunteers and staff of the Ukrainian Red Cross

Psychologists provide critical support to members of the URCS team, who are often exposed to high levels of stress due to challenging working conditions. Group support is offered to volunteers and staff to prevent professional burnout and ensure ongoing mental health care.

• Integration into local communities

As part of their mental health and psychosocial support programmes, psychologists work with communities to assist in the integration of internally displaced persons, build supportive networks, and promote healthy communication in affected areas.

Psychologists of the Ukrainian Red Cross employ modern methods and approaches, including:

• WHO-recommended interventions to address stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
• Group work to support survivors of emergencies and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Crisis intervention to provide immediate psychological support in response to traumatic events.
• Psychoeducational programmes designed to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and combat the stigma surrounding psychological support.

Currently, Ukrainian Red Cross psychologists are working in the following regions: Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Lviv, and Uzhhorod. In 2025, they will expand to include the Kyiv region, Poltava, Odesa, Rivne, and Volyn.

To receive psychological support, please contact:

• The Ukrainian Red Cross hotline: 0 800 332 656
• Your regional organisation
• The MHPSS team and volunteers.

Thanks to the work of psychologists, individuals not only receive immediate assistance but also comprehensive support to restore their psychological balance and return to normal life.