The event was organized by the Department of Psychological Support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine with the support of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine.
The conference was attended by Leading Psychologist of Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs Hanna Mhlynets and psychologist Vladyslav Bidniak.
Participants of the event included State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Inna Yashchuk, Deputy Head of EUAM Ukraine Mia Rakhunen, Head of the Department of Psychological Support of the MIA Andrii Kostiuk, Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on Veterans’ Policy Dmytro Finashyn, representatives of psychological services of the National Police of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, as well as healthcare and educational institutions of the MIA.
In her address to the participants, State Secretary of the MIA Inna Yashchuk noted that the conference was held at the initiative of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko and aimed at deepening the professional skills of mental health specialists within the MIA system. She expressed gratitude to the leadership of EUAM in Ukraine for sustained cooperation in implementing programs that enhance the effectiveness of the ministry’s work under wartime conditions, in particular initiatives aimed at providing psychological support to defenders.
In her speech, Inna Yashchuk also emphasized that for the further development of the MIA psychological service, it is extremely important for mental health specialists to continue exchanging experience and disseminating new knowledge within their teams.
Head of the Department of Psychological Support of the MIA Andrii Kostiuk thanked the leadership of the MIA and EUAM in Ukraine for their support in implementing important initiatives aimed at developing the ministry’s psychological services. He emphasized that psychology is a science about the human being, their history, inner world, pain, meanings, resilience, and uniqueness.
In her address to the conference participants, Deputy Head of EUAM Ukraine Mia Rakhunen outlined the principles and main objectives of the Mission’s activities in Ukraine. She noted that since 2022, amid the full-scale Russian invasion, EUAM Ukraine has also focused on projects related to psychological assistance. Mia Rakhunen emphasized that under current conditions, the work of psychological services of key state institutions is critically important. The Mission will continue implementing the “Blue Sky for Ukraine” project, including the establishment of psychosocial support centers.
War veteran and Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Finashyn spoke about his personal experience of undergoing art therapy during rehabilitation and participating in the veterans’ retreat “Transformation 4.5.0”. He emphasized that recovery through such activities is highly effective, as it helps express emotions without words and release thoughts from negative memories.
Dmytro Finashyn stressed that in working with personnel, psychologists need to apply an individual approach, as some people require help in releasing excessive rigidity or aggression, while others, on the contrary, need firmness and determination.
During the conference, employees of psychological services of MIA system units shared their own best practices with colleagues.
Throughout the conference, participants also listened to presentations and took part in workshops conducted by highly qualified psychologist speakers from Ukraine, the United States, and the Netherlands.
Participation in the conference will enable university psychologists to integrate modern art therapy methods into the system of psychological support and assistance for veterans and their family members.
Based on materials from the MIA Department of Communication
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