"Brave&Safe" centers provide social and psychological support to Ukrainians affected by war

A new network of centers for comprehensive response and support for war victims began working in Ukraine, Rubryka reports.
What is the problem?
Russia's aggression over the last eight years and one-year-long full-scale invasion presented Ukrainians with unprecedented challenges. The Ministry of Health estimates that at least 15 million people will need psychological support and treatment due to war-related trauma. Another 5 million Ukrainians will most likely need medical treatment.
What is the solution?
To overcome these challenges, HealthRight International, with the support of the international foundation FHI360, launched Brave&Safe Centers for comprehensive response and support to victims of war and gender-based violence in September 2022.
Brave&Safe centers help IDPs, victims of war, and people who find themselves in extremely difficult life circumstances. Centers are already operating in six regions of Ukraine's east and south. The most requests for help are received in Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Kherson.
How does it work?
Providing assistance with mental health and combating gender-based violence takes place at the level of primary medical care, says the Director of HealthRight International in Ukraine, Halyna Skipalska.
"You turn to a family doctor, and at the same time, you can solve other important issues: the need for psychological support, the preparation of documents and social benefits, the search for a job and a safe life, humanitarian aid, consultations with lawyers and social workers," she clarifies.
Almost 31,000 people have contacted the Brave&Safe Integrated Response and Support Centers. More than 71,000 services were provided to everyone, including informative, legal, psychological, and medical assistance.
"Brave&Safe mobile teams also work in local reception centers for IDPs, shelters, and daycare centers. Those Ukrainians who are in the occupied territories or the area of active hostilities can get help online on our platforms," says Halyna Skipalska.
Services of Brave&Safe Centers are free and confidential. Addresses and more detailed information are at the link.
Rubryka also reported that the SpivDiia for Children spaces had been operating in 22 Ukrainian cities for over a year. Children receive psychological support, find new hobbies and friends, learn, and develop here.