The war in Ukraine has led to almost 6,000 civilian casualties, including 2,665 deaths, as recorded by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and 164 attacks on health care facilities reported by WHO as of 25 April. People with mental disorders, cognitive, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities remain a group of concern in these circumstances. They rely a lot on support of their families and communities, health and social care services which are stretched themselves.
In 2021, Ukraine launched a new mental health service model Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) with the support of WHO. As of February this year, 65 CMHTs were created and provided person-centered and recovery-oriented care to people with severe mental disorders throughout the country. Since the conflict began, CMHTs started to use remote consultations, such as phone calls or video calls, continuing to care for people who stayed locally or in neighboring countries. The teams in Mariupol and Chernihiv continued to support people until the last day before their offices were damaged or destroyed. The majority of CMHTs report people facing shortages of psychotropic medicines and some face limited food supply, clean water, heating, electricity, and sanitation due to recently damaged infrastructure and supply chains.
Psychologist Natalia, Lviv – "The division of responsibilities in the team has changed a bit - more and other responsibilities have been added - counseling refugees and interactions with volunteer organizations helping to supply medicines. Therefore, we consult clients more by phone. We go to them only when they insist on it."
Psychologist Alina, Vinnytsia – “The number of responsibilities has increased. Therefore, work with clients on the phone has had to increase.”
Psychologist Irina, Kherson – “I work online from home. The city is occupied, so the team does not go home to clients, as movement around the city is unsafe. I need knowledge on how to help people with acute stress and panic attacks.”
Nurse Tatiana, Khmelnytsky – “There is a shortage of medicines and we started to collaborate more with district psychiatrists who help to obtain medicines in pharmacies close to patient`s home do decrees risks associated with movements across the city.”
Psychiatrist Mykhailo, Kramatorsk – “We work more by phone – fuel shortages and security issues. I am also involved in work in the hospital, where the number of cases of acute stress has increased”
Despite many challenges, Ukrainian Community Mental Health Teams were able to adjust to new demands and working modalities and address the needs of people they support with incredible commitment and dedication. “We have been revising our previous support to the teams trying to familiarize them with humanitarian response principles and bring more practical help and basic supplies” – said Alisa Ladyk-Bryzghalova, officer on mental health, WHO Country Office, Ukraine.