Support for Children in Ukraine

The ongoing conflict in the country has significantly impacted the mental well-being of children, and Caritas Austria recognized the importance of addressing this issue. Caritas Austria established counseling and psychosocial support services to address the psychosocial and mental health needs of children affected by the conflict. Additionally, they trained local staff and volunteers to provide individual and group counselling sessions to children and their families. The counselling sessions aimed to help children cope with trauma, anxiety, and stress, and to provide them with the tools to process their experiences and emotions.

Caritas Austria also implemented programs to promote mental health awareness and education in the communities they serve. They organized workshops and seminars for parents, teachers, and community leaders to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to provide them with the skills to support children's mental well-being. In addition, Caritas Austria implemented community-based support groups for children and their families. These groups provided a safe space for children to share their experiences, emotions, and feelings and to receive support and guidance from their peers and trained facilitators.

Overall, Caritas Austria's psychosocial and mental health support programs played a crucial role in addressing the mental well-being of children affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They provided children with the necessary support and resources to help them cope with their experiences and to improve their overall mental health.

What does this support mean for individuals?

Olga (name changed to protect client’s privacy) was a bright and outgoing child who lives in Eastern Ukraine. The ongoing fighting in her community had a traumatic impact on her mental health. She became withdrawn and stopped attending school, struggling with severe anxiety and stress.

Olga's family reached out to Caritas for help, and she was enrolled in the organization's counseling and psychosocial support program. She began attending individual counseling sessions, where she was able to talk about her experiences and emotions with a trained counselor. She also participated in community-based support groups, where she was able to share her feelings and experiences with other children who were also affected by the conflict.

Through the counseling and support groups, Olga was able to process her trauma and learn coping mechanisms to help her manage her anxiety and stress. She was able to return to school and reconnect with her friends and community. Her family also benefited from the program, as they received education and guidance on how to support their daughter's mental well-being.

Support for children in Ukraine in numbers:

• More than 5,000 children & youth received psychosocial and mental health support
• Over 100 local staff and volunteers provide individual and group counseling sessions
• Over 50 community-based support groups for children & safe spaces for children established
• Over 20 workshops and trainings for parents, teachers, and community leaders held to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to provide them with the skills to support children's mental well-being

Links:

• Info of Caritas Austria support for Ukraine (GER)