Psychological support for military personnel: The Ministry of Defence is establishing the Register of Qualified Specialists

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is creating a register of civilian mental health professionals offering psychological support to military personnel. The register will include verified information about organizations or individual specialists, their qualifications, capabilities, and the services they can provide in the realm of psychological support for defenders.

This initiative was discussed during a meeting between representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and civil society organizations.

“The mental health of our military personnel directly impacts their motivation for service and readiness to execute assigned tasks. In wartime, we cannot afford to delay addressing the mental health needs of our defenders. This is about human lives, dignity, and recovery from losses and challenges,” emphasized Colonel Oleh Mukan, Head of the MoD’s Department for Psychological Support.

The Register will allow the leadership of psychological support units and Armed Forces personnel to quickly locate accredited psychological support organizations with relevant specializations in their regions. Additionally, the list will facilitate collaboration between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civil society organizations, enhancing opportunities for military personnel to access professional psychological support. 

During the meeting, representatives of civil society organizations proposed expanding efforts to establish the following: 

• A hotline for crisis counseling;
• Online and inpatient psychological counseling for military personnel and their families;
• Inpatient psychological rehabilitation programs;
• Training for deputy company commanders in psychological methods;
• Training for assistant psychologists in mental resilience in the context of military operations.