The event was held at Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs as part of the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Mental Health for Ukraine” (MH4U), which supports the implementation of mental health reform in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
The training began with a welcome speech from DSUIA Rector’s Assistant on Gender Issues, Doctor of Law, Professor, and Honored Lawyer of Ukraine, Larysa Nalyvaiko. She greeted the attendees and emphasized the importance of preparing first-line professionals who work directly with the public.
The participants included community police officers and juvenile prevention inspectors from the Main Department of the National Police in the Dnipropetrovsk region and district police departments. A total of 15 law enforcement officers took part. The universal training is designed to enhance first responders’ awareness of mental health and mental disorders.
The training was conducted by Serhii Vyshnevskyi, Head of the Department of Psychological Support at DSUIA, brainspotting practitioner, full member of the National Psychological Association of Ukraine and the Association of Higher Education Psychologists of Ukraine; and Hanna Mhlynets, art therapist, clinical psychologist, biosuggestive therapist, coach, and author of training programs using CBT, hypnotherapy, art coaching, and See Far CBT techniques.
During the training, participants acquired knowledge and skills in identifying, engaging, interacting with, supporting, and referring individuals with mental disorders or acute psychological conditions. Special attention was given to recognizing signs of PTSD, depression, substance use, panic disorders, and more, considering the current socio-psychological context.
Upon completion of the training, each participant received a certificate and a workbook with the applied algorithm.
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