October 11, 2026
News
Near-constant missile and drone attacks, destruction, and prolonged stress are taking a heavy toll on millions of Ukrainians. According to research, up to half of the population may need psychological support. In response, we have been working systematically to improve the quality and accessibility of psychosocial services across Ukraine. This article highlights our approach and solutions.
1. MHPSS – Supporting Our Staff
All Caritas Czech Republic projects in Ukraine begin with a commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of our humanitarian teams. Our staff work across the country, from the western regions to areas close to the frontline in the east. Alongside regular psychological first aid training and personal safety training, our teams have access to free psychological support. As part of the Integrated Life-Saving and Protection Response for Conflict-Affected and Displaced Populations in Dnipropetrovska Oblast project, we also provide psychological wellbeing and safety training to our partner organisation, Egida Centre.
2. Creating Spaces for Mental Health and Wellbeing
For the second year running, Caritas Czech Republic has been working alongside the Ty Yak? (How Are You?) All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme, local authorities and partners to make free psychological and psychiatric care more accessible across Ukraine.
In 2025, we supported the renovation and fitting-out of four mental health centres within multidisciplinary hospitals in Mukachevo, Novoyavorivsk, Ivano-Frankivsk and Dnipro. We also helped establish a Resilience Centre in Truskavets and opened Zakarpattia’s first school-based psychological wellbeing room.
For people facing the emotional toll of war and other life-changing challenges, access to professional support can make a real difference.
I don’t need to pour my heart out to someone only to receive pointless advice. I can speak to a specialist who asks the right questions and helps me find my own answers about how I want to live my life. I’m very happy with the support and feel much better,
says Vasylyna, a mother of three and the wife of a veteran.
Physically and emotionally exhausted by the challenges she had faced, Vasylyna turned to the Mental Health Centre in Novoyavorivsk, opened by Caritas Czech Republic and its partners a year earlier. There, she found a space to reflect on her experiences and receive professional support.
Our work to expand access to mental health care continues. This year, as part of our charitable campaign, we are renovating the Mental Health Centre for Children and Adolescents at the Clinical Centre for Paediatric Medicine in Lviv.
More than 8,000 children receive free psychological, psychotherapeutic and psychiatric care at the centre every year. The renovation will create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for young patients and the multidisciplinary team supporting them, while helping more children across western Ukraine access high-quality diagnosis and treatment.
3. Supporting Local Initiatives
We are strengthening collaboration between specialist healthcare providers and civil society organisations by providing funding and raising awareness of local mental health initiatives. We aim to bridge the gap between professional healthcare services and accessible psychosocial support within communities.
This year, through an open grant competition, we are funding eight projects that offer effective referral pathways and will help more than 3,000 people access psychosocial support in their communities. Those benefiting include children and young people facing challenging circumstances, people with disabilities, internally displaced families, veterans, and their loved ones.
The supported initiatives span Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia regions. Each project receives a grant of up to UAH 1.3 million, alongside our expertise and support to help turn local ideas into meaningful action.
4. Mobile Psychological Support Teams Close to the Frontline
In Dnipropetrovsk Region, where communities continue to face shelling and the threat of attack, access to psychological support can be difficult. Through our Integrated Life-Saving and Protection Response for Conflict-Affected and Displaced Population project, supported by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund and implemented in partnership with the NGO Egida Centre, we run a helpline and mobile outreach teams to bring support closer to those who need it most.
Experienced psychologists provide free individual and group consultations, including support related to gender-based violence. They also organise psychosocial activities for children and adults in remote communities. Where further assistance is needed, the project’s case managers refer people to the relevant organisations and services.
We receive requests from communities in remote villages exposed to constant shelling and threats. Many concern children and the need for group activities that help them socialise and find some emotional relief. Because of the danger, children cannot attend school regularly or spend time with their peers. Medical infrastructure has been destroyed or is simply unavailable,
says Yuliia, MHPSS Supervisor at Egida Centre, who coordinates the psychological support team.
According to Yuliia, many people seek help to cope with the loss of loved ones. Anxiety and depressive disorders are also among the most common concerns.
“It is vital that this psychological support continues, so that people are not left alone with their trauma. This matters both during the war and after it ends, helping to prevent widespread and potentially irreversible emotional exhaustion,” Yuliia emphasises.
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Dnipropetrovsk Region psychological support helpline: +380 50 528 09 94
- Explore the map of mental health facilities across Ukraine
