Ukraine is set to launch at least 200 mental health centers across the country, as part of an ambitious initiative by the Ministry of Health. The move is aimed at enhancing access to specialized mental health care for the population.
Minister of Health Viktor Liashko highlighted that the new centers will play a pivotal role in providing highly specialized psychological support. Currently, basic psychological services are available through family doctors, school psychologists, and local resilience centers. However, specialized care is often necessary, prompting the need for dedicated mental health facilities. As of now, 23 such centers are already operational.
The expansion of mental health services follows a series of initiatives aimed at improving primary healthcare, which has prioritized making mental health services more accessible to citizens. The next phase of this effort involves developing a nationwide network of specialized care facilities. This initiative aligns with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Internal Resilience Plan, which envisions the establishment of 200 mental health centers across Ukraine.
These centers will be based in multi-profile hospitals and will be staffed by multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and other specialists. They will offer both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as mobile services that can be provided at patients’ homes or in the community.
The centers will cater to vulnerable populations such as children, veterans, and displaced persons, as well as anyone requiring specialized psychological support. Both self-referred patients and those referred by other healthcare providers will be able to access care.
So far, agreements have been signed to form 119 multidisciplinary teams across the country, with 23 centers already established in regions including Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Poltava. Starting January 1, 2025, mental health services will be covered under the new Medical Guarantees Program, ensuring state-funded access to mental health care for all citizens.
Related topics:
Nasal Spray May Offer Future Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease, Researchers Say
Research Breakthrough in Diabetes Treatment: Targeting Inceptor to Regenerate Beta Cells
Study Links Emotion Regulation in Depression to Increased Suicide Risk
