Ukraine to open 20 resilience centers offering social and psychological support amid war

Drawing from the Israeli experience, Ukraine's Ministry of Social Policy plans to open 20 Resilience Centers in Ukraine. There, 3.6 million Ukrainians will be able to receive social and psychological assistance.

Deputy Minister of Social Policy for European Integration Hanna Prorok said this during the Ukrainian-Israeli Rehabilitation Summit in Lviv, Ukrinform correspondent reports.

What is the problem?

According to the WHO, 15 million Ukrainian citizens need social and psychological support, of which 9.6 million may have mental health problems.

The official emphasized the need to open such centers because social studies show that 71% of Ukrainians feel stress or constant anxiety amid war.

What is the solution?

"Now we are working to create Resilience Centers, using the experience of the Israeli Rights Police," said Prorok. "These will be friendly, barrier-free spaces for social and psychological assistance. Currently, we plan to open 20 such centers in Ukraine, which will be able to reach 3.6 million people."

How does it work?

The deputy minister said a multidisciplinary team and an information manager would work in the center. They will provide counseling assistance in various social services and educational activities. A psychologist and a volunteer coordinator will also provide services at the center. 

According to the agreements of the Ministry of Social Policy with the Embassy of Israel in Ukraine, training of specialists for the centers will be conducted by Israeli specialists.

Now the project is operating as a pilot, and communities are invited to participate. Territorial communities that want such centers to be created are asked to fill out an online form by June 1, 2023.

The Ukrainian-Israeli rehabilitation summit is taking place in Lviv on May 30, which is a platform to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for physical and psychological rehabilitation based on many years of the Israeli experience, as well as for dialogue and exchange of ideas about forming the post-war future and the restoration of Ukraine.