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War in Ukraine Mental Health Resources

Exposure to war causes a wide range of harmful mental health effects. Those working with refugees and people directly impacted in Ukraine can protect mental health by using the following evidence-based actions and other resources below:

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  • Ensure physical safety and the safety of treasured belongings people may bring (e.g., locked trunks).
  • Connect people to loved ones whenever possible to enhance support.
  • Use culturally sensitive calming techniques to help lower stress.
  • Be alert to usual illnesses present in populations – from diabetes to hypertension to schizophrenia – and ensure care is provided.
  • Remain aware and sensitive to trauma history as this may exacerbate negative response or distress.
  • Be present for children and provide explanations to their questions, but do not overload them with frightening information.
  • Helping people with problem-solving is a form of caring that reminds them of their own strengths and abilities.
  • Recruit "helpers" to assist others and have them extend your ability to deliver care.

No permission is needed to use or adapt the public domain content below from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress. You may use it freely as it is helpful to you

Pocket Cards

Rapid Psychological First Aid:
Help for You, Family, and Friends

Helping Others Calm an
Acute Stress Response

Click HERE for all versions of Rapid Psychological First Aid: Help for You, Family, and Friends

Click HERE for all versions of Helping Others Calm an Acute Stress Response

Additional fact sheets are below to help children and families, healthcare and humanitarian aid workers, as well as community and military leaders:

Children and Families

Helping Children Understand Frightening Events

Managing the Stress of Children after a Crisis

Post Disaster Stress Management for Parents

Managing the Stress of War and Disaster

Advancing the Health of Military Families During Deployment

Helping Children Cope During Deployment

Military, Healthcare, and Aid Workers

Optimizing Sleep in an Operational Environment: A Guide for Service Members

Information for Responders on Emotional Reactions to Human Remains

Sustaining the Well-Being of Caregivers While Helping Victims of War

Behavioral Health Concerns Providers Should Know About During Nuclear Events

Community and Military Leaders

Grief Leadership to Promote Sustainment and Recovery During War

Leadership Stress Management

Military Leadership During Stressful Situations

Leadership Communication for Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events

Educational Training Resources

Slides: Leadership Behaviors in War and Disasters for Civilian and Military Populations to Foster Action, Sustainment, and Recovery

Additional Resources

iCover

with Ukrainian subtitles

Stop the Bleed 

 

Links

Displacement and Resettlement: Resources from Sesame Workshop to Help Children

PFA MOBILE: Android Version - in Ukranian (NCTSN)

Stop the Bleed (NCDMPH)

Sustaining Mental Readiness in the Context of Prolonged Stress (WRAIR)

Sleep in High Stress Environments (WRAIR)

Coping with Traumatic Events (Tuesday's Children)

Resources to Support Ukrainian Military Children & Their Families (MCEC)

Talking to Children about War (NCTSN)

Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (NCTSN)

Psychological First Aid for Displaced Children and Families (NCTSN)

Traumatic Separation and Refugee and Immigrant Children: Tips for Current Caregiver (NCTSN)

Understanding Refugee Trauma: For Mental Health Professionals (NCTSN)

Understanding Refugee Trauma: For Mental Health Professionals For Primary Care Providers (NCTSN)