Strengthening mental health and psychosocial support for displaced people coming from Ukraine

The agreement aims to support refugees who have experienced major mental health issues and psychological trauma by providing psychological first aid and assessment, as well as longer-term mental health and psychosocial support, in their own languages.  The contract, financed by the EU4Health programme, covers action to strengthen the capacities of Red Cross staff and volunteers, first line responders and other professionals in five EU countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic) and will run for 24 months. Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “For over three months, millions of innocent people in Ukraine have been forced to flee their homes, and live through the scars and trauma of Russia’s barbaric war in Ukraine. People escaping shelling, living with war wounds, or worrying about their loved ones in conflict zones need specific psychological support as they start to rebuild their lives. With the invaluable support and expertise of the Red Cross and partner NGOs, we are committed to providing essential services to refugees arriving in the EU such as psychological first aid and referrals to specialised services where necessary, which will contribute significantly to the prevention and treatment of mental health challenges.”