Vytautas Magnus University

Psychological Support Platform has been Established for Ukrainians

1630

In response to the terrible situation in Ukraine, the Global Initiative on Psychiatry (FGIP) and partners have established a psychological support platform for Ukrainians. The platform aims to provide guidance to the public and mental health professionals on how to deal with the psychological consequences of the war. Emotional support groups for Ukrainian students are also organised by the VMU Psychology Clinic.

“The war in Ukraine has resulted in unimaginable human suffering. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have fled their homes and are trying to find safety either in the country or abroad. Others are sheltering in homes, bomb shelters or cellars, while their cities are pounded by Russian artillery. In response to the worsening situation, and in order to support friends, colleagues and the general population in Ukraine, we are developing a platform which provides psychological support“, one of the platform‘s authors, Director of the VMU Andrei Sakharov Research Center for Democratic Development and Chief Executive of FGIP, Prof. Robert Van Voren, said.

According to the professor, the platform provides guidance to both mental health professionals and the general public. VMU students who are in psychological distress can make use of the program’s services.

The platform is based on an online psychological support program in Russian for victims of state repression, which was initiated in October 2020 by FGIP and partners. The program‘s website provides information and advice how to maintain your mental health, what to do in time of distress to help yourself and also where to go in case professional help is needed. Now a similar Ukrainian-language program is being developed.

“The program involves Facebook and Telegram channels as well as a website where advice is given how to maintain your mental health during such adverse circumstances, what to do when you are facing a mental health crisis and where to go for professional psychological help“, Prof. Van Voren explained.

The program‘s Facebook page and Telegram channel were launched on 27 February. The website www.samopomi.ch will be launched soon as well.

The Ukrainian channels can be accessed here:

The platform has been prepared by Global Initiative on Psychiatry (FGIP) and partners.

The VMU Psychology Clinic is organizing emotional support groups for Ukrainian students who are currently in Lithuania. More information about these groups is provided to Ukrainian students directly by the VMU International Cooperation Department. The VMU Psychology Clinic has also published a list of psychologists in Lithuania who provide free-of-charge consultations to Ukrainians.

Ukrainian students and graduates of the VMU Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy also contribute to iniatitives by FGIP and others that are dedicated to supporting Ukraine.