Cologne/Kyiv. Three years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, the psychological resilience of individuals and of Ukrainian society as a whole is becoming increasingly important: Pavlo Titko, head of Malteser in Ukraine, says: “The war changes everything, but the most important thing remains untouched: our ability to be there for each other and to hold on to this world even when it is shaken. Psychological resilience means overcoming difficulties together, finding a purpose and continuing on the path to the future.”
Last year alone, Malteser, together with its local partner network, provided psychosocial support to more than 40,000 people. This included (trauma) therapy sessions, family counseling, psychoeducation in daycare centers and schools, awareness events, art therapy and multiple mobile playgrounds.
According to the United Nations, around 10 million people in the country suffer from mental illness, with around half of the entire population reporting frequent episodes of anxiety.
The head of Malteser International's Ukraine department, Lisa Schönmeier, also reports: “More and more people need trauma treatment. The longer the war lasts, the more exhausted people become, their resilience decreases and the risk of mental illness grows. This situation is intensified in winter, as the external circumstances are currently even more difficult: electricity and heating regularly fail, with temperatures often below the freezing point, and healthcare facilities are under increasing attack. Resilience dwindles in the dark and cold season, which is why it is all the more important that we continue to support the people in Ukraine even now after three years of war.”
Malteser International has been supporting people in Ukraine since 2015, initially mainly through psychosocial services. In 2022, the assistance was further expanded to meet the growing needs.
Attention editorial offices:
Photos are available for download: click here
Lisa Schönmeier, Head of the Ukraine Department at Malteser International, is currently in Kyiv and Pavlo Titko, Head of Malteser Ukraine, are available for interviews and sound bites.
Media contact: +49 (0)221 9822-7180, katharina.Kiecol(at)malteser-international.org
The people in Ukraine are in urgent need of donations.
Malteser Hilfsdienst e. V.
IBAN: DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
S.W.I.F.T.: GENODED 1PA7
Keyword: "Ukraine"
