Solutions from Ukraine: Poltava region communities join forces to offer mental health support services

On March 21, in Poltava, the "Mental Hub," a comprehensive mental health support center, officially opened its doors to visitors with a special ceremony.

The Poltava Region News publication reports this.

What is the problem?

As Mariia Bondarenko, executive director of "Light of Hope" charity organization, said, the idea of creating a mental center was born quite a long time ago.

"We, representatives of a non-governmental organization, were actively involved in helping internally displaced persons and the civilian population during the war and experienced all the associated phenomena. This is both emotional exhaustion and apathy. We realized that practically everyone experiences such negative consequences. When you're not resourceful, you can't work effectively," she explained.

What is the solution?

"That's why we decided to create such a support point. We want a similar center to appear in every territorial community. We will do our best to make these services available everywhere," Bondarenko said.

According to the organizers, "Mental Hub" is a critical component of the extensive project called "Integrated mental health support for vulnerable population groups." According to the organizers, it aims to serve as a resource for individuals needing assistance with their mental well-being, offering support and serving as a source of motivation and resilience.

How does it work?

The organization implemented its plan in Poltava with the help of international donors and partners in Ukraine.

"The opening of the center today is an example of a local initiative that became possible thanks to the support of the city and regional authorities, as well as thanks to international support," said the director of Pact (an organization that implements the five-year USAID project "Building a sustainable public health system " in Ukraine) Alyona Herasymova.

Anyone needing help can seek support from "Mental Hub," including women, men, and children.

"Of course, the defenders of Ukraine, first of all, need such support. But our parents, our children, our women also need it," Viktor Lysak, director of the Department of Health Protection of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, remarked.

Photo: Poltava Region NewsThe center will pay special attention to:

• war veterans;
• relatives of soldiers;
• internally displaced persons;
• victims of violence;
• emergency services workers: doctors, law enforcement officers, rescuers;
• leaders and communities;
• vulnerable categories of the population;
• non-governmental sector workers who coordinate aid and support in the conflict zone.

Today, the Poltava Mental Hub is the first in the region, but not the last. In general, the project is planned to involve at least nine more territorial communities, namely Bilotserkivska, Hlobinska, Dykanska, Kozelshchyna, Kremenchutska, Lubenska, Myrhorodska, Opishnianska and Shyshatska territorial communities.

^{Photo: News of Poltava region}

"There will be field sessions and meetings focused on mental health work. This kind of initiative is extremely beneficial," Deputy Chief of Poltava Regional Military Administration Anton Chubenko said.

"Mental Hub" offers complimentary psychological consultations for both children and adults, as well as medical services from specialized doctors such as narcologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and family physicians.

Also, the center will have a special room where parents can leave their children while working with a specialist.

Photo: Poltava Region NewsIn addition, there will be:

• various thematic events,
• educational activities on the topic of psycho-emotional health.

The organizers also plan, in particular, lectures from the city's leading psychologists and other specialists aimed at developing a culture of caring for the psycho-emotional and mental state.

The center provides individual and group work. People can choose which of the specialists they want to see. The center also has a mobile team, which includes child and adult psychologists and a consultant.

"The project is aimed first of all at vulnerable segments of the population who cannot receive high-quality psychological services. We have selected the best staff whose services are not cheap on the market. Their work is paid for by international donors (USAID, Pact)… For consumers of our services, it is absolutely free of charge," Taras Nesterenko, coordinator of the psychological service of the "Light of Hope" and "Mental Hub" charity organizations, emphasized.

He also mentioned that "Mental Hub" is following the trauma transformation method of Dr. James Gordon, which has been successful in the USA for working with demobilized individuals from Vietnam and during times of crisis, such as the terrorist attacks on September 11. This approach will be implemented through group therapy sessions.

Right now, the project is set to run for two years, with the potential for extending it.

For reference:

It is worth mentioning that Deputy Minister of Defense Nataliia Kalmykova announced that Ukrainians released from Russian captivity will receive a comprehensive recovery program developed in collaboration with foreign experts according to Western methods.