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Russia’s ongoing military operations not only threaten the physical health of Ukrainian civilians, but also pose serious risks to their psychological well-being. The mental health consequences of trauma are often overlooked and can be largely invisible. As such, resources for mental health care are generally not prioritized. This negligence is wrong. Humanitarian responses, including support from host countries, donors and intergovernmental organizations, must address the immediate and long-term mental health needs of Ukrainians.
Before the war, mental health conditions such as depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were the second leading causes of disability in Ukraine and It affected 30 percent of the population. The country already faces the highest suicide risk in the world. Access to Evidence-Based Mental Health Services, Lack of Trust in the Mental Health Care System, and Mental Health-Related Stigma Serious obstacles Even before the war.
Since February 24, families have been separated and more than 5 million children have been forced to leave their homes. According to UNICEF; In contrast, two out of three Ukrainian children are displaced. Bombings, loss of loved ones – or separation, and shooting and dodging shootings are just a few of the brutalities that characterize the daily lives of Ukrainians today, including during the bombings. They usually happen at nightLack of sleep and constant stress contribute.
Recent studies It is estimated that one in five people in conflict-affected areas suffer from mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression. Given the vast scope of this unwanted war, millions of Ukrainians, young and old, may suffer mental illness in the future. Currently, Ukrainians continue to experience traumatic events such as sexual and physical violence or exposure to violent death and injury. Mental health distress among conflict-prone individuals can manifest as anxiety, fear of isolation, tears, insomnia, nightmares, and more. Additionally, adults and children with pre-existing mental health care needs or neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism are unfortunately not prioritized in Ukraine. Thus, the lack of access to care by properly trained professionals was exacerbated by the war.
It is important to establish short- and long-term mental health care solutions in Ukraine and host countries.
In addition to treating mental health stress, initiatives should focus on strengthening mental well-being, which includes developing coping and coping strategies. for example, Dr. Sergey BogdanovAn associate professor and clinical psychologist at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy offers a good model; He and his colleagues had been working on these same issues for years and intensified their efforts in response to the war. Dr. Bogdanov’s team works with Johns Hopkins University to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress by applying tools and approaches that they have tested. Although they offer psychological care at several centers in Ukraine, they recently opened a new medical center in Bucha, a hotbed of violence and killings near Kiev, to address the pressing mental health needs of individuals in that region. At the same time, Dr. Bogdanov is training teachers and school psychologists in Safe Space, an intervention that promotes early intervention for children and youth and is expanding its efforts throughout Ukraine.
When considering long-term solutions to Ukraine’s mental health care problem, improving identification of mental health needs, as well as prevention of mental illnesses, should be prioritized.
Long-term financing of Ukraine’s mental health response and coordination between national and international partners will be essential to ensure the sustainability of psychological support for affected Ukrainians. Training health professionals in evidence-based mental health approaches that target such harms Long-term exposure or cognitive processing therapy, is also required. Other efforts may include providing training to teachers and pediatricians, which will improve their ability to diagnose and identify mental health problems in children.
For displaced Ukrainians, host countries should work to ensure access to affordable mental health services and reduce social isolation among refugees. For example, social integration interventions that improve quality of life and adjustment can focus on language learning and the establishment of social support networks.
Developing an integrated response to Ukraine’s pre-war mental health crisis, exacerbated by the current tragedy. Strong efforts are being made to address mental health needs; Especially the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska is leading and advocating for strengthening Ukraine’s mental health and psychosocial systems and programs. Essentially, overcoming and recovering mental health for Ukrainians requires recognition and intervention during and after the war.
Partners can help by maintaining both a current acute vision and a long-range vision. It includes supporting specialty care now and a commitment to restore, rebuild, and expand mental health care services for Ukrainians beyond the war.
Kimberly M. Hook, Ph.D., M.A., it is. Licensed psychologist Who – Since 2018 – Collaborated with academic and NGO partners in mental health care delivery and research in Ukraine. She is a researcher at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
Jacqueline A. Hart, MD, is the directorBesuk Center for Homeless and Vulnerable Children, Families and Youthin Needham, Mass., with communities and organizations nationwide to promote housing, health and other opportunities for individuals and families. She has over 20 years of experience working in lifestyle, behavioral and integrative medicine, applying those principles to vulnerable populations and marginalized communities.
This op-ed benefited from contributions from: Mark C. Poznanski, MD, PhD, FIDSA, ofCenter for Immunization and ImmunizationProfessor of Medicine and Co-Founder, Department of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Heal the Ukrainian team; Alice Barocco, a medical bioscience student at Imperial College London; Dmitry Dribinsky, founder and director of Autism Unity; Yulica Forman, PhD, LHMC, is a special education consultant and attorney.
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