A mental health support and psychological assistance program for the population affected by armed aggression is being launched in Zhytomyr region. As part of the project, 12 Psychological Support Spaces (PSS) will be established in the communities of the Zhytomyr region, specifically in the Olevsk, Slovechansk, and Narodychi communities. The project is presented by the NGO “In Touch Ukraine Foundation.”
The Importance of Mental Health
Mental health includes the ability to adapt to life’s challenges and recover from traumatic events. We all understand the conditions we are currently living in. During martial law, amid constant stress and unrest, more and more people face issues related to mental and psychological health. Understanding that we live in difficult times affects our emotional and psychological state.
The importance of supporting mental health during war lies in the fact that conflict situations can cause significant stress, anxiety, and trauma. People need psychological support and access to mental and emotional resources to maintain their resilience, health, and ability to adapt in conditions of military conflict.
Psychological Support Spaces
The Psychological Support Spaces (PSS) will be established in the communities of Korosten district as part of the support program and psychological assistance for the population of the Zhytomyr region communities. The PSS premises will be equipped with everything necessary for online consultations, sessions, training, and other psychological events. It will be a space where visitors can receive necessary psychological support online (via video call or phone), providing access to a wide range of psychological specialists with various specializations and work experience.
Advantages of PSS
The main advantages of these locations are the preservation of visitors’ confidentiality and privacy, as well as the possibility to receive psychological help in an online format, making the services more accessible. The absence of physical contact with a psychologist may contribute to a sense of confidentiality for those who feel shame or fear during offline consultations. Convenient location and accessibility of professional psychologists make the services more accessible.
Project Uniqueness
The uniqueness of the project lies in the combination of online and offline counseling approaches, with the involvement of administrators who will provide the necessary technical and organizational assistance. Each location will have an administrator who will help set up and configure technical equipment, assist visitors in technically connecting to the counseling program with a psychologist, and establish online communication between the visitor and the psychologist.
Current Project Status
Preliminary agreements and preparation of locations are already at the final stage, allowing for the rapid launch of the program. The goal of this project is to provide the population with the necessary support and assistance while maintaining confidentiality and comfort.
We urge you to take care of your mental and psychological health, especially during the war. The war creates difficult conditions where it is hard to find peace and harmony. However, maintaining mental health is extremely important to keep balance and cope with stress.
Project Support
The project is implemented by NGO “In Touch Ukraine Foundation” under the grant agreement between NGO “In Touch Ukraine Foundation” and Pact Inc. No380-019127 dated April 1, 2024. The project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project executors are a consortium of three organizations: Pact, FHI 360, and AFEW-Ukraine (“AIDS Foundation East-West”).