SOCIAL SERVICE TO BUILD RESILIENCE

AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICE TO BUILD RESILIENCE

Since 2005, HealthRight International has been working in Ukraine with the local charitable foundation Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health founded by it. We strive to increase the ability of vulnerable populations to access vital health and social services, including marginalized women and girls, most-at-risk and HIV-positive teens, young people in conflict with the law, and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and their partners. Our work focuses on domestic violence, sexual violence and GBV; reproductive health; responsible parenthood; risky behaviors; HIV/AIDS; support for women and children in difficult life circumstances; humanitarian support in crisis situations; pregnant women and young mothers facing abandonment of their newborns or deprivation of parental rights; and mitigation of the effects of torture, including through psychological and legal support.

BACKGROUND

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has affected the mental health of millions of Ukrainians. Stress causes additional social and economic tension, and the fact that war is a traumatic experience only confirms that anxiety level has increased significantly among the population. This causes an increased risk of gender-based, domestic, sexual and conflict-related violence and human trafficking. Faced with stress, including due to the war, not everyone can help themselves, but taking care of their emotional health is extremely important. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that timely psychosocial support, restoration and preservation of mental health is provided to everyone who needs it.

Given those background conditions, on May 1, 2024, the ICF "Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health", with the support of the Ministry of Social Policy, started working on a pilot project within the framework of the All- Ukrainian Mental Health Program "How Are You?" of First Lady Olena Zelenska to introduce a comprehensive social service to build resilience.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The aim of the project is to create friendly, barrier-free spaces - Resilience Centers - where every community resident can receive first psychological aid, referrals to the necessary services and organizations, and the opportunity to attend group psychosocial support classes to acquire stress-resistance skills as a set of personal qualities.

Тhe project includes the provision of the following services:

• sociо-psychological services and first psychological aid
• a range of services aimed at supporting the mental health of individuals and families in difficult life circumstances
• assistance in coordinating volunteer activities
• measures aimed at increasing parental capacity, organizing activities and classes for children, training parents, and holding events for families
• if needed, the Resilience Centers can also provide a range of other services: basic legal services, employment counseling, veterans' services, and other services needed by the residents of a particular community

З червня 2025 року в м. Київ відкрився Центр життєстійкості у Солом’янському районі та працює Центр Життєстійкості для релокованої громади з Луганщини на лівому березі столиці.

CONTACTS

📍 Центр Життєстійкості у Миколаєві

м. Миколаїв, вул. 12 Поздовжня 50а

(093) 521 82 84, (099) 349 11 02

Project social media pages Instagram, Facebook.

📍 Центр Життєстійкості Солом’янського району м. Київ

FOR MORE INFORMATION

or more information about the project or if you are interested in partnering, please contact Executive Director Halyna Skipalska (e-mail: Halyna.Skipalska@healthright.org)

For more information, please visit our сайт and subscribe to our page in Facebook.

his project is implemented by the ICF "Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health" in Ukraine with the support of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program " How Are You?" at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska