SUPPORTME

"Without Preaching, Without Judgment, Without Lies". SUPPORT ME – ONLINE PLATFORM FOR TEENAGERS AND THEIR PARENTS

The International Charitable Foundation “Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health” (UFPH) is a national organization established by the representative office of HealthRight International. Since 2005, we have been operating in Ukraine to strengthen local capacity and support domestic initiatives that provide life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable groups – women, children, and young people. Our work encompasses the implementation of innovative models to prevent social orphanhood, addressing gender-based violence, and responding to HIV/AIDS. We contribute to the development of local communities by enhancing the capacity of civil society organisations and local authorities to improve the accessibility, quality, and range of social and rehabilitation services. Drawing on experience from implementing programmes in over 30 countries worldwide, UFPH focuses its efforts on protecting human rights and supporting survivors of violence; improving the health and well-being of orphans, children deprived of parental care, and young people from vulnerable groups

BACKGROUND

Since 2019, the Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health has been implementing a project under the general title: "Advocacy and Support for a Multisectoral Approach to Expanding Access for Youth and Adolescents to Health Support Services in Emergency Situations (Including HIV Prevention and Treatment, as well as Mental and Reproductive Health Support)." This initiative is more commonly known as the SupportME portal.

The project is primarily designed for youth and adolescents, including those living with HIV. More recently, the initiative has expanded to include a new target group—parents of teenagers—who, like their children, often face significant mental health challenges and require psychosocial support.

To enhance professional expertise in adolescent health, the portal also provides training for frontline healthcare workers, medical service providers, and mental health specialists. This initiative aims to improve the quality of services provided to adolescents and their families

ABOUT THE PROJECT

SupportME is a Ukrainian online space for adolescents and youth who need help and support, as well as for parents of adolescents and for adults working with teens.

The portal operates online. On the portal, we inform adolescents about the challenges of their age, building relationships with adults and peers, safe sex and possible consequences of risky behavior, prevention of viruses and diseases, how to counter bullying and violence, the principles of a healthy lifestyle, how to cope with depression and anxiety, and more. All articles contain comments and/or fully reflect the opinions of the portal’s experts — its physicians and psychologists.

Our project program is based on expanding professional networks of mental-health practitioners at both the national and international levels.

Through online approaches — including the official website and the portal’s social media pages — we provide online support to young people and to their parents who need assistance. To fulfill this task, the SupportME team collaborates with networks of certified, Ukrainian-speaking service providers.

Support is provided via official communication channels, including Instagram and Facebook, as well as through the feedback form on the SupportME portal, ensuring access to the necessary assistance.

The mission of the SupportME portal is to help young people find solutions in difficult situations without preaching, without judgment, without lies.

It should be noted that the specialists of our portal, when receiving requests online, also provide consultations and necessary support, offline assistance, and/or refer SupportMe beneficiaries to relevant partner organizations for further detailed examination of the client and provision of the most appropriate, qualified, and professional assistance.

PROJECT SUMMARY

From April 2022 to February 2026, the platform received 6,804 requests from 5,023 clients.

A total of 8,290 services were provided, including:

• psychological consultations (25%)
• information services (60%)
• health-related consultations (15%)

Due to the war, the need for this category of services has increased significantly. Therefore, within the activities of the HealthRight Day Center and the SupportME information portal, we have intensified our work with adolescents and youth. Today, alongside issues traditionally relevant to adolescence, our focus includes psychological adaptation to new living conditions, stress management, and information on access to psychosocial services abroad.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supportme_teens/?hl=ru Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportMEteens YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzlTp8-6G_XOp4d6ohUkMDQ/featured SupportMe portal: http://supportme.org.ua/main

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For full project information, please contact UFPH Executive Director, Halyna Skipalska (e-mail: Halyna.Skipalska@healthright.org) or Project Coordinator, Hanna Lemeshko (e-mail: Hanna.Lemeshko@healthright.org)