Surviving the Ongoing Crisis: MSF Psychologists Provide Mental Health Support in Ukraine’s Conflict-Affected Communities

In the aftermath of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, medical facilities have been destroyed and healthcare staff has been forced to flee. As a result, many people living in areas retaken by the Ukrainian army or near conflict zones lack access to basic needs like clean water, food, and healthcare. This has created a mental health crisis that requires immediate attention.

To address this issue, MSF psychologists have been providing tailored psychological support to patients based on their specific needs. In 2022 and 2023, they delivered a total of 26,324 individual mental health consultations. These consultations took place both in fixed clinics and mobile clinics that offer medical and psychological care to people in remote areas.

In these regions, where access to healthcare is limited due to destruction and lack of staff, the elderly population faces particular challenges. Many are unable to leave their homes due to mobility issues, which can exacerbate existing health problems like cardiovascular disease and insomnia. The constant stress and worry can also make it difficult for them to cope with daily life.

MSF psychologists in mobile clinics educate patients on the importance of mental health and how it impacts their overall well-being. They offer advice on improving sleep quality, managing anxiety and tension, and provide psycho-educational training to communities on dealing with stress. These basic techniques and support can help prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease and mental disorders.

While group psychoeducation sessions and individual consultations can be effective in stabilizing the emotional state of many patients, more complex cases may require long-term support. For example, MSF psychologists offered psychological assistance to survivors of a missile attack on a café in Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, in early October 2023. The attack resulted in the loss of loved ones for each of the 15 families residing in the village according to authorities