A comprehensive mental health training program has been introduced at Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs (DSUIA) as part of the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Mental Health for Ukraine,” which supports mental health reform efforts in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
The training targets frontline professionals such as police officers, emergency services, social services, employment centers, educational institutions, recreational facilities for children and adults, and members of the clergy.
The training was led by DSUIA’s Head of Psychological Support Department, Serhiy Vyshnevskyi, and Senior Inspector of Juvenile Prevention, Major Nataliia Yazan, under the support of DSUIA’s administration, including Gender Issues Advisor to the Rector, Larysa Nalyvaiko.
Given their responsibilities, police officers often work with people in difficult life situations who experience intense emotions and need support. This training aims to increase participants’ understanding of mental health and related disorders, focusing on recognizing mental health issues and learning supportive techniques for assisting individuals in crisis.
The content of the training has been tailored to the unique needs of police officers and other professionals who interact daily with diverse population groups. All response protocols included in the training were developed following the guidelines of the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), and Australia’s Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) organization. The protocols align with other evidence-based international standards, ensuring that the training offers effective support techniques for frontline professionals.
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