Prime Minister took part in a meeting dedicated to mental health protection issues and the creation of a relevant National Program

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and First Lady Olena Zelenska hosted a meeting on mental health protection and psychological assistance to victims of the russian armed aggression against Ukraine.

The event also gathered together Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Minister of Social Policy Maryna Lazebna, Minister for Veterans Affairs Yulia Laputina, Minister of Education and Science Serhii Shkarlet, representatives of the Ministry of Defense, WHO and others.

Denys Shmyhal noted the full-scale invasion of russia has led, among other things, to the fact that a huge number of people have experienced traumatic events that would affect their psyche for years to come.

"The elaboration and launch of the National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program must meet the challenges we face. Mental health services should be accessible to anyone who requires them or will need them in the future. It is critical to help people overcome stress and prevent the development of mental disorders," said the Prime Minister.

The Head of Government accentuated that the state should help Ukrainian servicemen returning from the front to adapt to peaceful life, help those who have lost loved ones, survived captivity, occupation, violence, support children and the elderly.

The Prime Minister thanked First Lady Olena Zelenska for taking the lead in this important matter and stressed that the relevant ministries should consolidate their work on this project.

"Everyone in the country should understand: if you have a sore throat, you know where to go, and if you feel insecure, have lost your composure, live in constant tension - you need to know where you can be provided qualified support," said Olena Zelenska.

On the outcomes of the meeting, the Ministry of Health was instructed to establish a working group within the relevant interdepartmental coordination council with WHO experts, leading Ukrainian and international experts in the field of mental health. In addition, the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporary Occupied Territories, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense should submit proposals to the Ministry of Health on possible plans to develop individual mental health initiatives and provide psychological assistance to victims of armed aggression of rf against Ukraine.