Mental health is the foundation of a nation’s resilience!

In today’s world, where new challenges and stressful situations arise every day, it is extremely important to maintain mental health and emotional balance. This is especially important for Ukraine, which has been going through the most difficult times for several years. War, constant uncertainty, losses and traumas affect the mental state of people — from children to adults, from civilians to doctors and military personnel.

Every year on October 10, the world celebrates World Mental Health Day, the purpose of which is to draw public attention to mental health problems, reduce stigma and support those who need it. Mental health is the foundation of the resilience of every person and nation, and its preservation is the shared responsibility of each of us.

Odessa National Medical University actively contributes to the development of the psychiatric field through educational, scientific and practical activities. The Department of Psychiatry, Narcology, Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy is a leading center for training highly qualified specialists in this field. The department conducts scientific research in the field of mental health, in particular, studies anxiety and depressive disorders, the effects of stress and trauma, develops modern psychotherapeutic methods and adapted approaches to providing psychiatric care in wartime. This research allows for the implementation of innovative methods of treatment and support for patients, contributing to the development of psychiatric practice and mental health care at the national level.

ONMedU graduates receive solid knowledge and practical skills that allow them not only to treat patients, but also to create an environment of psychological support, conduct educational lectures and trainings, and develop empathy and communication skills. The department actively cooperates with medical institutions, provides consultations and practical assistance, organizes educational programs for patients and medical personnel, contributing to the formation of a culture of mental health care.

At the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” is being implemented, which helps Ukrainians take care of their mental health and support each other. The program involves the creation of a system of services and resources for mental health, and ONMedU is actively involved in its implementation through scientific conferences, trainings, and educational initiatives for students and medical staff.

As part of the “How Are You?” initiative, ONMedU is implementing the mhGAP program in higher medical education in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, WHO, and partners. The WHO mhGAP program is aimed at integrating mental health services into primary care. The goal is to increase accessibility and ensure comprehensive coverage of such services and provide people with the opportunity to receive quality mental health care from a primary care physician. At the rector’s meeting in Kyiv on October 2-3, 2025, attended by the rector of ONMedU Valeriy ZAPOROZHAN and the head of the department of psychiatry, narcology, medical psychology and psychotherapy Yevhen OPRYA, the university rectors signed a Memorandum on the integration of the WHO mhGAP program into higher medical education in Ukraine with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. Professor Yevhen Oprya, as part of a joint discussion, presented a report on the implementation of the mhGAP guidelines into the educational process of ONMedU. As part of the review of educational programs in the EPP “Medicine” from the 2025-2026 academic year, the educational components “Management of common mental disorders in the primary care setting (mhGAP)” and “Communication skills in the primary care setting for identifying mental disorders” were added to the 5th and 6th courses of the medical faculty, respectively, which will help future doctors acquire skills for early detection and effective management of such conditions during their professional activities. Programs for thematic improvement with mhGAP at the postgraduate level and the implementation of leadership principles in internship programs are being developed.

Take care of yourself, support each other! Everything will be Ukraine!