Elena Zelenskaya opened an extended meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council on Mental Health and Psychological Assistance to the Victims as a result of Russian Armed Aggression

The meeting was attended by representatives of the embassies and international organizations: UN Representatives in Ukraine, WHO Bureau in Ukraine, Ambassadors of the United States, Canada, Switzerland and the European Union, representatives of the UK Embassy, ​​head of Ova. Elena Zelenska addressed the audience with the introductory speech.

“The simple question“ How are you? ” It became the slogan of many of our mental health campaigns and turned out to be deeper than it seemed, because it was not only about physical but also about a state of mind. The strongest of us sometimes need months of struggle not only with the enemy, but also with our own stereotypes to accept what the answer to this question may be: “I am not fine with me. It is difficult for me, stressful.

" Psychological "not okay" is now the condition of most of our compatriots. And talking about it, looking for a solution is normal, right, necessarily, ”the presidential wife said. At the meeting, a document was presented within the framework of the National Mental Health Program - an operational roadmap "Priority Multiple Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Ukraine during and after the War".

The document was prepared by representatives of the public sector, UN agencies, international and Ukrainian organizations working in the field of development and humanitarian response, in coordination with WHO. An operational road card will allow you to respond quickly to calls here and now. It defines priorities that everyone who works in the field of mental health in the humanitarian crisis should be guided. This will reconcile their actions in accordance with the priority analysis.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmigal noted that without sufficient focus on the mental health of the nation, we will have a significant load on the medical, social, educational system, on the law enforcement system. “The state will be a driver and coordinator of creating a new system of providing mental health services. Services that will be provided promptly, effectively, without bureaucracy. Because human psychological state affects our resistance to challenges.

Economy losses can reach 4-5% of GDP. We see the welfare of Ukrainians as the main purpose of our joint efforts. Let us overcome, overcome difficulties and rebuild Ukraine-a strong state, whose main wealth is healthy and talented people, ”the Prime Minister said. The participants of the meeting got acquainted with the results of the audit of citizens' needs for mental health and psychosocial support services and international experience in building mental health systems.

The principles that can be used to improve the mental health care system in Ukraine were also presented. It is important that in addition to positive international practices, considerable attention was paid to the study of errors to prevent their repetition in Ukraine. “This war will become for us what in psychology is called the point of post -stress growth.

Based on the experience gained and analyzing the best international practices, we will build one of the most effective mental health support systems in Ukraine when anyone who needs it will be able to receive help. To do this, together with our partners, we develop laws and by -laws, teach specialists, create the rules by which the system will work. I am sure we are on the right way, because after the war, millions of Ukrainians will need help in mental health.

And the state will be ready to provide it, ”the Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko emphasized. In cooperation and with expert support of WHO, a single coordination center for the development of decisions and implementation of the National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program was created - a project office under the Cabinet of Ministers.

In the future, projects that are being developed and implemented by ministries will be tested in the project office to avoid duplications and confidence that they meet all requirements and international standards.

Recall that the first strategic session of the Interagency Coordination Council on Mental Health and Psychological Assistance to Persons Affected by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation took place in the summer with the participation of the first lady of Elena Zelenskaya, representatives of a number of ministries and departments, Verkhovna . It was dedicated to the development of targeted mental health services for different population groups.

“It is extremely important that all agencies are active participants in this interaction. We do not have time for long -term experiments, so the best international experience collected for you in cooperation with Belgium, the US, the United Kingdom and Israel shows what elements can be adapted for the model of services in Ukraine. Some words of gratitude are addressed to the World Health Organization and USAID - for understanding our needs and comprehensive assistance.

And today, it is becoming increasingly clear that the unique experience that, unfortunately, Ukraine acquires, will allow our country to add its cases and practice to the world of mental health, ”the president's wife emphasized. The National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program is the first lady of Elena Zelenskaya, who aims to help citizens overcome the stress related to the war and the consequences of traumatic events, and prevent the development of mental disorders.