Mobilizing Mental Health: MSF Psychologists Bring Support and Education to Communities in Crisis

In mobile clinics, MSF psychologists play a vital role in educating patients about the importance of mental health and its impact on their overall wellbeing. They provide guidance on improving sleep quality, managing anxiety and stress, and offer psycho-educational sessions to communities on stress management. By offering basic techniques and support for mental health, patients can stabilize their emotional state and prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders.

In some cases, more intensive and long-term intervention may be necessary. For example, after a missile attack on a café in the village of Hroza in Kharkiv, MSF psychologists offered psychological support to survivors who had lost loved ones. Six individuals with serious injuries, some affecting brain function and speech, were among those receiving care. Victoria Lepekha, a mental health supervisor with MSF, emphasized the importance of providing support to people experiencing acute grief by listening to them, offering sympathy, and being a comforting presence during their time of need.