A modern mental health support system is being developed in Ukraine, combining clinical interventions and psychosocial support. The development of a network of specialised services covers all levels of medical care and focuses on bringing services closer to people and ensuring they meet international standards.
The integration of the management of common mental disorders into primary health care within the mhGAP programme. The creation of Mental Health Centres and the expansion of the work of mobile multidisciplinary teams are changing the approach to supporting the population. The new model of care takes into account people’s needs, is evidence-based and provides barrier-free access in communities.
An important element of these changes is the training of specialists. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation Ukraine and the Coordination Centre of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Mental Health UA, is implementing the WHO training programme “Specialised Mental Health Services at the Community Level”. The initiative is being implemented as part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme “How Are You?”, launched by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
Training has already been completed by 130 teams from mental health centres in different regions of the country. The programme is based on modern international approaches and covers the competencies necessary for high-quality, people-centred support. Participants learn how to organise services in the community, work in multidisciplinary teams, plan assistance based on people’s needs, respond to crisis situations and apply evidence-based interventions. Considerable attention is paid to practical work, in particular skills for supporting people with psychosocial, cognitive and intellectual disabilities.
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