“Mental Help” — free psychological assistance for Ukrainians

To make psychological help available and convenient for Ukrainians, the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine has launched the "Mental Help" project. It aims to provide free psychological services to people affected by Russia's war against Ukraine. The project has been developed with the support of UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group, Schneider Electric Corporation, Fondation de France, and the UN Global Compact Network France.

Russia's military aggression caused irreparable consequences not only to the physical but also to the psychological health of Ukrainians. According to the Minister of Healthcare, 15 million Ukrainians will need psychological assistance. There are children, adults, and the elderly. Unfortunately, not all Ukrainians can afford the services of a professional psychologist. However, everyone needs psychological support and care.

The "Mental Help" project has gathered a team of professional psychologists ready to work with all Ukrainians experiencing the psychological impacts of the war. A session with a specialist is only a few clicks away.

How to get psychological help?

Interaction with a psychologist takes place on an online platform.

1. Visit our website: https://mentalhelp.com.ua/ 
2. Browse the profiles of psychologists and choose the one who is the best fit for you.
3. Book the exact time of a private session in the psychologist's profile. To do this, fill out a short form with your contact details.
4. At the specified time, join the online meeting with a psychologist via the link that we will send to your email.

The consultations take place via Zoom or Google Meet. All consultations are free and confidential.

Before a session with a psychologist:

1. Write questions you want to ask during the session.
2. Make sure you are in a comfortable/safe place during the session.
3. Make sure you have a stable internet connection, muted notifications, and sound on your phone.

After the session:

1. Give yourself time to reflect on the results of the session.
2. Do the homework that you received from the specialist.

"Our country is a country of strong people. But even the strongest need support to cope with today's challenges. We created the "Mental Help" project so that people who need psychological support or serious professional help feel they are not alone with their experiences. In times of crisis, the most important thing is to support each other. We believe that our project will become psychological support for many Ukrainians," comments Tetiana Sakharuk, CEO of the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine.

"Today, many people in Ukraine live in constant stress and anxiety. It leads to emotional exhaustion and negatively affects the emotional state and, as a result, the quality of a person's life. We want as many people as possible to access highly qualified help, receive quality psychological support, be able to share their experiences, and find resources for recovery. To do this, we are joining our efforts with partners and launching the Mental Help project — free psychological help for Ukrainians," says Yanina Olkhovska, Head of Communication, CSR/ESG & Engagement at UKRSIBBSNK BNP Paribas Group.

"With the support from our Foundation to Global Compact Ukraine, we show our commitment to the Ukrainian community in different ways as we firmly believe that psychological service is key to help overcome challenges of these these difficult times," stresses Gilles Vermot Desroches, SVP Corporate Citizenship, Foundation General Delegate, Schneider Electric.

"The UNGC Ten Principles values that we share are severely endangered, it is thus our responsibility to support our Ukrainian counterparts," states André Renaudin, President of the UN Global Compact Network France.

"The Fondation de France has been involved in mental health issues for over 15 years, in France and abroad, including after major disasters and crises. We are proud to support the professional approach proposed by Global Compact in Ukraine war's context," tells Karine Meaux, Emergencies and International Solidarity Head of Unit at Fondation de France.

The project not only helps Ukrainians cope with the trauma of the war and regain psychological health, but also provides a job for dozens of psychologists supporting the well-being of our fellow citizens.

History of the project

The "Mental Help" project was launched in March. Its target audience was the employees of the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine's Participants. During the first three days, specialists provided professional psychological assistance to over 300 people in therapy sessions. Also, psychologists conducted several group training on self-support and parenting. They also provided private counseling to adults and children who left the war zones.

Thanks to the support of partners, the project has been expanded to allow as many Ukrainians as possible to overcome traumas, restore psychological health, and return to full-fledged life.