Mental health support for Ukrainian women refugees
We aim to provide no-threshold access to high quality mental healthcare which is culturally sensitive and caters for the specific needs of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands.
Mental health support for Ukrainian women refugees
22% of Ukrainian refugees suffer from mental health problems.
Around 11 million Ukrainians have had to flee their country. Since the start of the war, a total of 96,000 of them arrived in the Netherlands. The vast majority are women, often accompanied by their children. They have been uprooted from their lives and separated from their loved ones. They are feeling the impact of witnessing the war. According to UNHCR, around 22% of them are suffering consequences in terms of their mental health.
The symptoms of their suffering range from nightmares and depression to PTSD, bipolar complaints and outright schizophrenia.
The symptoms of their suffering range from nightmares and depression to PTSD, bipolar complaints and outright schizophrenia.
Statistics show that over 21,000 Ukrainians who managed to reach the Netherlands are affected by mental health problems. As for the Dutch population as a whole, according to GGZonline.nu, around two million people are suffering from a mental disorder. The 100,000 of them who are wait-listed for treatment may have to wait up to 12 months. For Ukrainians, there are further constraints. A major one is the language barrier. Since the majority of the refugees speak only Ukrainian or Russian, they are at risk of never receiving the help they need. In such cases their condition is likely to deteriorate, making it impossible for them to integrate in Dutch society and opening the way to becoming suicidal. Another limitation is the lack of professionals able to provide mental healthcare to people from war zones.
The current project aims to help Ukrainian refugees cope with the challenges facing them, such as emotional suffering, stress and trauma. If our counsellors identify more severe conditions, clients will be referred to specialized Dutch healthcare for emergency treatment.
The current project aims to help Ukrainian refugees cope with the challenges facing them, such as emotional suffering, stress and trauma. If our counsellors identify more severe conditions, clients will be referred to specialized Dutch healthcare for emergency treatment.
- 96 000 peopleUkrainian refugees arrived in the Netherlands during the war in 2022.
- 21 000 peopleUkrainian refugees in the Netherlands are affected by mental health problems.
- 100 000 peopleDutch citizens are wait-listed for treatment according to GGZonline.nu
- 12 monthsCurrent waiting time to be treated. For Ukrainians, there are further constraints.
Mental health project
We aim to provide no-threshold access to high quality mental healthcare which is culturally sensitive and caters for the specific needs of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands.
- Refugees experiencing severe mental health problems, including PTSD, psychotic symptoms and suicidal tendencies.
- Refugees with mild and moderate mental health problems (e.g. anxiety, depression).
- Refugees not currently diagnosed with mental health issues but in need of support to build mental resilience.
The targets population includes:
Help us to build a healthy and harmonious community by supporting mental health project in The Netherlands.
With every 10,000 euro we can provide full
12-week treatment to 15 Ukrainian women
and pay salaries to Ukrainian refugee counsellors.
With every 10,000 euro we can provide full
12-week treatment to 15 Ukrainian women
and pay salaries to Ukrainian refugee counsellors.
Our procedure
A package of services will be delivered that is tailored to meet the individual care needs and to facilitate access to at-home care. Since the refugees are geographically spread across the country, services will often be provided remotely through telehealth.
To improve efficiency, individual counselling and psychotherapy will be blended with evidence-based self-administered e-health interventions, which will be prescribed and supervised by specialists.
To improve efficiency, individual counselling and psychotherapy will be blended with evidence-based self-administered e-health interventions, which will be prescribed and supervised by specialists.
- 1In-person individual and group counsellingProviding by Ukrainian mental healthcare specialists who are refugees themselves and currently living in the Netherlands.
- 2Remote counselling and psychotherapy (through telecare)Delivered by Ukrainian mental healthcare specialists and by licensed, fully trained therapists from various other European countries, who are fully conversant in Ukrainian and English.
- 3Intensive group and individual supervisionThis will be delivered by team members specialized in training and supervision at scale. Individual supervision and consultation of people in urgent need of help (e.g. cases of psychosis and risk of suicide) is also included.
- 4A system of referralfor clients who urgently need specialized mental healthcare, through the EUCOMS network and in partnership with Dutch mental healthcare providers. Concretely, this implies establishing a referral pathway to acute inpatient services, if and where needed, for suicidal people and those in mental health crisis, including psychosis.
- 5The use of state-of-the-art technologydesigned for cases of anomie. Anomie is a condition of instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values, resulting in this case from rapid change. VR anomie software for in-person therapy enables users to express themselves without words whilst simultaneously giving therapists and coaches customizable tools to guide or assist during remote or in-person sessions. Clients have agency; they can draw, paint, bring in 3D models and role play in VR, guided by a therapist from a computer.
- 6Outreach servicesamong the Ukrainian refugee population to identify those with mental health needs who are currently under the radar, to facilitate their engagement with our specialists. Potential clients are alerted to our project through the networks we have established in the last eight months.
- 7Mental resilience interventionstargeting the entire Ukrainian refugee population, regardless of their mental health status. Delivery of such interventions is critical for vulnerable groups such as refugees who have fled conflict zones. Research from similar groups has shown the decades-long impact of conflict on the mental health. Investment in the mental resilience of those affected can prevent psychological issues occurring in the future.
Current state of the project
Within a pilot project of 8 weeks the Mental Health Project showed incredible results and positive impact on the mental health of our participants.
100% clients are highly satisfied with their treatment according to Client Satisfaction Survey which they filled after the end of the counselling cycle.
100% clients are highly satisfied with their treatment according to Client Satisfaction Survey which they filled after the end of the counselling cycle.
- 40Counsellors sign up for the project, 4 of them sign the contract and participated in pilot
- 38Ukrainian refugees sign up for the pilot project and 13 of them finished their 8 week treatment
- 104Individual sessions between clients and counsellors have been conducted
- 750Ukrainian refugees, women and teenagers, wait-listed for the next treatment.
How to support MHP
There is a clear and urgent need to professionalize and scale up our services.
Right now, we observe a huge unmet need for counselling among Ukrainian refugees –
a need we cannot satisfy due to limited capacity.
Right now, we observe a huge unmet need for counselling among Ukrainian refugees –
a need we cannot satisfy due to limited capacity.
Financial support
We are looking for financial support to cover office rent, counsellor salary, project coordination and materials to continue to help Ukrainians affected by mental health problems.
Donate now
Space for counselling
As we see the increasing numbers of Ukrainian refugees in need to have treatment, we constantly looking for extra spaces to be able to provide mental health support as much as needed.
Offer a space
Spread the word
We are looking for collaboration with Media to increase awareness about Mental health project for Ukrainian refugees and make more impact together.
Media support
Help us to build a healthy and harmonious community by supporting mental health project in The Netherlands.
With every 10,000 euro we can provide full
12-week treatment to 15 Ukrainian women
and pay salaries to Ukrainian refugee counsellors.
With every 10,000 euro we can provide full
12-week treatment to 15 Ukrainian women
and pay salaries to Ukrainian refugee counsellors.
Make a donation
This donation will cover office rent, counsellor salary, project coordination and materials.
Our Social Impact
Mental Health Project is one of the project of United Way The Netherlands and was arose from the close work and with Ukrainian refugees. Since May 2022 our organisation helped Ukrainian women and have achieved the following results. We continue to run all our activities and will support Ukrainians as long as they are in a such vulnerable situation.
- 300+Classes and meetings were hold for Ukrainian refugees - women and children. All classes are free of charge.
- 475Hour of classes have been conducted.
- 2900+Ukrainian refugees attended the classes.
- 20Volunteers engaged.
Contact form
We are looking for the partners and donors who want to make a social impact together!
Please contact us to start meaningful collaboration!
Please contact us to start meaningful collaboration!
Mental Health Project
By UNITED WAY THE NETHERLANDS
Stichting United Way The Netherlands
machiel.salomons@local.unitedway.org
RSIN 859638017
By UNITED WAY THE NETHERLANDS
Stichting United Way The Netherlands
machiel.salomons@local.unitedway.org
RSIN 859638017