EUCOMS Network’s Post

We launched the fourth call for individual grants for mental health support within the "Culture Helps / Культура допомагає"! This is a programme for cultural managers who are currently working on the integration and adaptation of people who have been forced to move to safer regions or abroad, to new communities through culture and artistic practices. You have the opportunity to receive up to 1000 euros to take care of your mental health — the program covers stays in sanatoriums, sessions with psychologists, retreats, attending cultural events, and more. Learn more and apply by March 29 via the link: https://cutt.ly/SwM4YuyN P.S. In this call, we are launching a scouting program in collaboration with Psikultura. In March, webinars on how to take care of your mental health and how to choose methods and tools to support it await you. Summaries and workbooks will also be available! If you have any questions, write to culture_helps@insha-osvita.org or in Telegram: https://t.me/InshaOsvita. ___ “Culture Helps / Культура допомагає” is a project co-funded by the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors. The project is a cooperation between Insha Osvita (UA) and zusa(DE).

The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to a severe mental health crisis, with millions in need of psychiatric support. With traditional treatments struggling to meet the overwhelming demand, Ukrainian lawmakers are turning to novel solutions. 🇺🇦✨ In his recent address, Mykhailo Radutskyi, Chairman of the Committee on Health of the Parliament of Ukraine, expressed his support for the reasonable, monitored medical use of psychedelic substances. 🌱✨ This approach could be key to addressing the mental health challenges faced by so many Ukrainians today. 🙏 At our conference in Prague, we discussed how the EU and its Member States can collaborate with Ukraine to implement these novel mental health treatments. 🌍🤝✨ Watch Mr. Radutskyi's entire contribution here 🎥👇 English 🇬🇧: https://lnkd.in/dGTujQ5x Ukrainian 🇺🇦: https://lnkd.in/dd-_Eq3W Czech 🇨🇿: https://lnkd.in/devrveDH

🇺🇦 To help its people heal from the psychological trauma caused by the Russian war, Ukraine is embracing the potential of novel psychological treatments, including medical psychedelics. Dmytro Gurin, Member of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament of Ukraine), shared: “We are looking forward to starting the research and then pushing these substances toward medical use.” 🌱🧠 At PsychedelicsEUROPE, we will continue to support Ukraine in this endeavour by serving as a coordination platform between public and private stakeholders across European Member States, Brussels, and Ukraine. 🌍🤝 MP Gurin spoke during our panel, “Innovative Solutions in Mental Health: Exploring Opportunities for PTSD Treatment,” at the "Czech Dreams in Lviv: Week of Czech-Ukrainian Partnership." 🇨🇿🇺🇦

We are pleased to invite you to a special online event organized by one of our partners, Institutul Bucovina from Romania. This webinar will focus on collaborative efforts to enhance mental health services through cross-border cooperation between Romania and Ukraine. Event Details: • Date & Time: October 10, 2024, 02:00 PM CET • Description: This online event brings together key stakeholders from Romania and Ukraine to discuss opportunities for collaboration in the field of mental health. A representative from EUCOMS will provide insights on successful models of community-based mental health services across Europe, highlighting opportunities for collaboration to improve mental health care and support vulnerable populations. Key topics of discussion will include: • Current challenges faced by mental health professionals in Romania and Ukraine. • Opportunities for cross-border partnerships to foster more inclusive and effective mental health services. • Insights from EUCOMS on best practices in community-based mental health care. Following the presentations, there will be an open discussion, providing attendees the opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas on strengthening mental health systems through international cooperation. This event promises to be an inspiring platform for dialogue and the formation of new partnerships. We hope you can join us for this important conversation. Please feel free to share this invitation with others in your network who may be interested. To register for the event, click the link in the comments below. We look forward to your participation and contribution to this vital discussion.

Hey #MHPSS and #medicalanthropology! Let's talk about this practice example of organizations and networks offering free psychedelic therapy training in Ukraine

This Mental Health Week highlights the critical role of mental well-being in addressing Europe’s pressing challenges on all fronts. At Monday’s #EPC event, Polish Ambassador Agnieszka Bartol, as the key speaker, emphasized mental health—particularly for young people and children—as a priority for the Polish presidency. Mental health was framed as essential to societal resilience, with key takeaways including: prioritizing youth mental health to ensure a resilient and forward-looking Europe. We are looking forward to tonight’s event from Mental Health Europe, Threads of Being: Mental Health and Community Arts Exhibition, which highlights the role of arts and culture in fostering connection and healing. #Mentalhealth must be central to EU policy, intertwined with economic and social strategies, to build a Europe that is both resilient and inclusive.

Dive into the latest issue of Intervention Journal, which focuses on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) amid the challenges of war, conflict, and persecution. The diverse range of articles sheds light on innovative approaches, barriers in provision, and ways to enhance MHPSS interventions. Learn more about: ◾ the social isolation experienced by genocide ex-prisoners in Rwanda https://lnkd.in/dUaAnvpY ◾ the evaluation of an MHPSS hotline in Afghanistan https://lnkd.in/dGNEKTXx ◾ the complexities of addressing the mental health needs of Uyghur refugees in Turkey https://lnkd.in/dqvdjQtK And many more interesting articles, field reports and personal reflections on the Intervention website. https://lnkd.in/eS92P7fz

“More than 100,000 soldiers and civilians working with them are suffering from PTSD as a result of the Russian invasion. Psychological rehabilitation is necessary for soldiers, relatives, and families. Physical rehabilitation makes no sense without psychological rehabilitation. It is our duty to help them reintegrate into our society.” - Rostyslav Tistyk, Member of the Verkhovna Rada, Parliament of Ukraine Ukrainian politicians and experts gave strong testimony today at the panel discussion “Mental Health Perspectives in the Reconstruction of Ukraine and PTSD Treatment”. 🇺🇦🗣️ Despite the gravity of the issue, hopeful ways of dealing with Ukraine’s battered mental health were outlined. 🌱 Given the rapid effectiveness of treatments using MDMA or ketamine, for example, Ukrainian institutions are interested in collaborating with renowned scientists and countries working in this field. 🌍🔬 These countries include, for example, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. 🇨🇿🇳🇱 The clear key takeaway of the conversation was the need to emphasise mental health as an implicit part of Ukraine’s reconstruction. 🏗️🧠

Join Us for an Inspiring Segment on “Wake Up On The Weekend”! Date: 13 July 2024 Time: 08:15 – 08:35 Host: Andile Madube_Mbuyazi Dube Segment: Check-in Subject: Personal Journey and Encouraging Others during Mental Illness Awareness Month What to Expect: Get ready to hear a powerful and inspiring story of overcoming addiction, finding faith, and making a difference in the community. Our special guest will share their transformative journey and offer insights on: 1. Overcoming addiction and finding purpose. 2. The impact of turning one’s life around on personal growth and community. 3. How a spiritual journey can help overcome challenges without rehab. 4. The importance of faith and community support in mental health recovery. 5. Motivation behind youth mentoring and motivational speaking. 6. Memorable success stories from mentoring and community work. 7. Insights from the book “Knocked Down but Not Knocked Out”. 8. Finding hope and support for mental health struggles. 9. Lessons learned from mission work and interacting with diverse communities in South Africa. 10. Aspirations for expanding impact through the Peg Foundation and other initiatives. 11. Encouraging words for young people struggling to stay motivated. Tune in to be inspired and uplifted as we delve into these important topics. Don’t miss it!

Sharing insights from our recent communications working group meeting on communications in response to mental health needs in Ukraine. In this blog, I delve into the key takeaways and strategies discussed. Read more https://bit.ly/48QcYXL