UNFPA launches new initiative project in Ukraine

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is implementing a new initiative project in Ukraine to provide psychological support for men. According to the fund, this free anonymous and round-the-clock online chat is implemented with the financial support of the UK government and in cooperation with the NGO Innovative Social Solutions.

Using Telegram, Viber or the website, men can now receive support from experienced psychologists in a text-based format, talking online about any issue that causes stress, from problems at work and in relationships to experiences of war or difficulties in regulating anger.

Each person can contact the organization once a day for a consultation lasting up to 90 minutes, including to find internal resources and solve problems. The organization emphasizes the importance of timely problem solving and overcoming psychological stress, especially in a full-scale war.

A survey conducted by UNFPA in the summer of 2022 found that 90% of men in Ukraine have never sought professional psychological support. Alyona Zubchenko, the foundation's program manager, notes that men often believe that they must solve their problems on their own, and this hinders their seeking help.

UNFPA emphasizes that psychological support in the format of online communication should help men stabilize their emotional state, find internal resources to overcome difficulties and realize problematic aspects of behavior.

The psychological support line for men, which was launched in October 2022, has already received more than 9200 calls. The line's coordinator, Ulyana Myroshnychenko, explains that the introduction of online chat is a response to clients' requests to receive support in writing, expanding communication channels to better meet men's needs.