Overview of content:
Invitation from Norwegian Peoples aid
Collaboration with MART 2023
Collaboration with Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
Collaboration with Norwegian Refugee council
Collaboration with Global Mental Health Network Norway
Collaboration with Amnesty Norway and Norwegian Peoples aid
Collaboration with Norsk-Ukrainsk Hjelpeorganisasjon
Collaboration with Children and War foundation
Dear colleagues,
After two and a half years of war in Ukraine, we continue our work to improving the lives of Ukrainians in Ukraine, neighboring regions, and Norway. Our focus is on strengthening mental health support and advancing rebuilding efforts in Ukraine. With the support of our Ukraine office, led by Anna Fedina, we’ve reached significant milestones that will leave a lasting impact. We are deeply grateful for your contributions—whether through funding, expertise, or time.
Your support has been vital to our efforts in assisting helpers working in Ukraine and beyond. It is crucial that we continue to raise awareness and sustain support for the ongoing situation in Ukraine. In this newsletter, we offer a brief overview of our achievements in 2023/2024.
Invitation from Norwegian Peoples aid
Women in Wartime: A lunch meeting with Marta Chumalo from the Ukrainian civil society organisation Women’s Perspective.
On Friday, 24th February 2023 we attended a compelling lunch meeting with Marta Chumalo, a key figure in the Ukrainian civil society organisation Women’s Perspective.
Marta, who was recently honoured with the 2023 Olof Palme Human Rights Prize, shared her extensive experience in advocating for women’s rights in Ukraine, particularly in the context of the ongoing war, violence, and oppression.
Throughout the event, Marta provided profound insights into the challenges and resilience of Ukrainian women fighting for freedom in a conflict-ridden country. Together with Trude Falch, Head of Section at Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), the discussion focused on how to effectively mobilise resistance and promote just and open societies under such dire circumstances.
The meeting, held at the NPA offices in Stortorvet, engaged attendees in a meaningful conversation. Conducted in English, the event highlighted the critical role of international collaboration and the importance of supporting human rights initiatives in war-affected regions. The gathering offered valuable perspectives and strategies, leaving us with a renewed sense of urgency to contribute to the ongoing efforts in Ukraine.
Recognising the importance of these issues, Marta expressed a strong interest in learning more about the work of Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) and explore how MHHRI’s manual and training initiatives could benefit her work in Ukraine.
This led to a subsequent, productive meeting where Marta, who manages several shelters in Ukraine, outlined key challenges including overcrowded shelters for IDPs, increased domestic violence, an overwhelmed healthcare system struggling with mental health needs and inadequate government support for documenting sexual assaults, which discourages women from reporting and seeking help.
In collaboration with MART 2023
Enhancing Protective Mechanisms for Children
MHHRI in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation MART, conducted a training course titled “Enhancing Protective Mechanisms for Children Experiencing Trauma in Emergency and War Situations”
for psychologists and other professionals working with children and their families in emergency and war conditions.
The objectives of the training course were:
- To provide information and practical tools for the psychosocial support of children, focusing on resilience during acute periods of war and times of relative calm.
- To equip psychologists and other specialists with a deep understanding of children’s reactions to stress and trauma.
- To offer information and practical tools for improving the protective mechanisms for children who have suffered distress, trauma, and grief.
The course included an overview of mental health disorders in children caused by traumatic events. Special attention was given to methods for assisting children with traumatic memories, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, and self-harm, as well as fostering psychological resilience in children during times of war and crisis. As part of the course, eight online webinars (each lasting 2.5 hours) were conducted once a week from September to November 2023.
In collaboration with Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
Universal Human Rights and Mental Health: Psychological perspectives on War in Ukraine. 10.10.2023
During the meeting, the focus was on mental health among Ukrainians, with particular attention to the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The session included presentations and discussions from various experts and professionals working in the field.
The meeting started with an introduction by Beate Seibt and Helen Suizu Norheim, followed by updates from Ukrainian academics Svitlana Paschenko and Nataliya Bulatevich on the current situation and their work. Nora Sveaass provided an update on the intersection of human rights and mental health for Ukrainians, drawing on her extensive experience.
Haakon Engen Gabrielsen shared insights from his work on stress management and resilience training, both within the Norwegian Army and with students in Kyiv. Anna Fedina reported on the mental health needs of Ukrainian refugees and those still in Ukraine, based on her work at MHHRI.
Finally, Laure Isaac talked about the student exchange programs between Oslo and Kyiv, highlighting the collaborative efforts of psychology students.
The meeting concluded with a wrap-up session, open discussions, and practical task assignments to ensure the continued smooth running of the Ukraine Response group’s efforts.
Summary of Research Work Supported by MHHRI 2024 February – May
MHHRI is proud to support a pivotal research project, which aims to gather insights into the challenges and needs of Ukrainian refugee women, led by Laure Isaac, a final-year master’s student in social psychology at the University of Oslo.
Laure Isaac, a final year master’s student in social psychology at the University of Oslo, is conducting a thesis research project on the experiences of Ukrainian refugee women settling in Norway with their children and their current needs. Her study seeks to explore their current needs and their perspectives on their future in Norway, as well as their thoughts about returning to Ukraine.
To gather data, her Ukrainian colleague from MHHRI was conducting 10 interviews with participants. Each interview lasted between 30 minutes to an hour. The interviews were focused on the participants’ views on their future in Norway, thoughts on returning to Ukraine, and areas where they need additional support. The results of this research will have a practical use, supplying research participants with resources for psychological help and informing Norwegian institutions on how to better help Ukrainian refugees.
In collaboration with Norwegian Refugee council (NRC), 2023
Doing What Matters in Times of Stress
This year, our fruitful collaboration with the Norwegian refugee council (NRC) has continued, demonstrating significant results and strengthening our partnership.
Together, we have implemented several initiatives aimed at improving psychological well-being and raising awareness about the importance of mental health.
One of the most notable events of this year was the webinar we conducted on the topic “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress.” This webinar was designed to provide participants with practical advice and strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental health during times of instability and tension.
Webinar: “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress”
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- Date: 16.11.2023
- Duration: 2 hours
- Participants: 245
- Hosts and Speakers: Elisabeth Ng Langdal, Helen Christie
“Helping the Helpers” Project, 2024
MHHRI is pleased to continue our collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) through our ongoing support of NRC staff within the “Helping the Helpers” project.
Project Overview:
This initiative aims to provide critical psychological support to Ukrainian employees and volunteers of the Norwegian Refugee Council working in refugee reception centers. The project is designed to address the dual challenges faced by these individuals: the personal impact of their work and the professional demands they encounter.
Key Project Details:
Expert Facilitation: Experienced psychologists lead online support groups, each consisting of 5-6 participants. These sessions, lasting two hours each, offer a safe space for participants to discuss the emotional toll of their work and seek guidance on how to navigate complex situations they face in the field.
Progress and Achievements:
The group work facilitated by psychologist Zoya Turkovska has seen significant success. Encouraged by the initial positive results, several participants have expressed a desire to continue working with her. Under Zoya’s expert guidance, the team has made meaningful progress in addressing critical challenges. To further enhance the psychological atmosphere and bolster the team’s resilience to stress, Zoya provided an additional 13 sessions beyond the initial agreement.
In addition, we have introduced resource-oriented sessions led by psychologist Olga Acharadze, who has successfully conducted four sessions aimed at further supporting the NRC staff. We are proud of the progress made thus far and remain committed to supporting the well-being of NRC’s dedicated staff as they continue their vital work.
In collaboration with Global Mental Health Network Norway (GMHN)
Workshop for Norwegian Partners in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Ukraine 23.11. 23
A key goal of the seminar, organised by Ragnhild Dybdahl on behalf of the network and FHI, was to create a comprehensive overview of current mental health and psychosocial support initiatives in Ukraine. This effort aims to map out who is involved, where they are working, and with whom.
The workshop began with a welcome address by Knut Nyfløt from FHI. Ragnhild Dybdahl then outlined the background and objectives of the event. Heidi Westborg Steel provided an overview of the participating partners and their projects.
Participants shared brief presentations detailing their organizations, partnerships, geographic areas, and project themes. Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) also shared their work. The workshop concluded with a summary and a discussion on next steps, with ongoing efforts to gather more data from additional organisations.
In collaboration with Amnesty Norway and Norwegian Peoples aid
Breakfast seminar: Women and the War in Ukraine 2024
The seminar on “Women and the War in Ukraine” held on February 16th in Oslo, organized by Amnesty Norway and Norwegian People’s Aid.
The session, titled “Response, recovery, and transitional justice from a Women’s Perspective,” focused on the mental health impacts of the war on women, the role of women in trauma recovery, and the use of international and national instruments to secure women’s rights and justice.
The session, titled “Response, recovery, and transitional justice from a Women’s Perspective,” focused on the mental health impacts of the war on women, the role of women in trauma recovery, and the use of international and national instruments to secure women’s rights and justice.
The seminar was structured around key questions addressing the impact of the war on women’s mental health, the increase in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), the role of women in response and recovery efforts, and the application of international and national instruments to secure women’s rights and justice.
Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) Participation: Highlights of the seminar included powerful testimonies and insightful comments from the participants. One of them was Anna Fedina from MHHRI provided valuable insights on the training of helpers inside Ukraine, emphasising the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary skills to support trauma recovery and mental health.
In collaboration with Norsk-Ukrainsk Hjelpeorganisasjon
As part of her internship, we provided support to Olga Acharadze in establishing the independent association “Norsk-ukrainsk hjelpeorganisasjon.”
This organisation was founded by and for professionals in the health and social work sectors who relocated to Norway due to the war in Ukraine. These professionals are committed to leveraging their expertise to assist Ukrainians in managing stress and adapting to new lives, both in Ukraine and Norway.
Central to their mission is a holistic view of humanity, which emphasises the inherent potential for change and growth within every individual, best realised within a supportive community. Through the training provided by the MHHRI through their manuals, members of the organisation will be better equipped to support Ukrainian helpers and professionals, both in Norway and in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
Seminar: ” How to help sexually abused children I “
A Three-day training session focusing on supporting helpers working with children exposed to sexual violence.
• Dates: 8th, 9th, 10th March
• Duration: 6 hours daily
• Participants: 18
• Speakers: Nora Sveaass, Helen Christie, Elisabeth Ng Lagndal, Mari Bræin.
This training was part of a broader initiative by “Mental Health and Human Rights Info” in Oslo. It aimed to provide face-to-face certification training for Ukrainian psychologists and specialists working with children and families in Norway. The focus was on “How to help children who have been sexually abused” in the context of war, conflict, or humanitarian crisis”.
Our goal is to equip Ukrainian professionals with the skills needed to support and restore the mental health of their nation.
Supervision session
To ensure that participants could effectively train others using the manual on their own, a comprehensive six-hour online supervision session was conducted on April 20. This session provided in-depth guidance, allowing participants to gain the necessary skills and confidence to independently facilitate the manual’s content.
Seminar: Sexual and gender-based violence against men, boys and/including LGBTIQ+ persons in humanitarian settings
In June 2024, MHHRI conducted an essential training in Oslo, aimed at equipping Ukrainian psychologists and specialists working with Ukrainian refugees in Norway.
The training was designed to address a critical and often overlooked aspect of the trauma experienced by these individuals. Societal stigma and deep-seated gender norms have traditionally rendered the issue of sexual violence against men and boys a silent crisis. Recognising the profound impact of such experiences on mental health and overall well-being, MHHRI aimed to provide specialised training that would not only enhance the participants’ theoretical understanding but also equip them with practical therapeutic skills.
Throughout the training, participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum that covered the psychological, cultural, and ethical dimensions of working with survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones. The program included a mix of lectures, interactive workshops, and case study analyses, providing a robust framework for understanding the complexities involved in supporting male survivors.
The successful completion of this training by Ukrainian psychologists and specialists marks a significant step towards the long-term rebuilding of Ukraine. The certification awarded by MHHRI serves as recognition of the participants’ expertise in this critical area and underscores the importance of continued professional development in the field of mental health and human rights. This training highlights the crucial role that mental health professionals play in healing the wounds of war, particularly those that are often hidden and stigmatised.
Seminar: “How to Help Sexually Abused Children II”
- Dates: 26th, 27th, 28th April 2024
- Duration: 6 hours daily
- Participants: 14
- Speakers: Helen Christie, Elisabeth Ng Langdal, Helen Suizu Norheim
After conducting the first training session, we received a request for a second one due to the relevance of the topic. A comprehensive three-day training session was conducted from the 26th to the 28th of April, focusing on equipping professionals with the skills necessary to support helpers working with children exposed to sexual violence
The primary focus of the seminar was to address the psychological and emotional needs of children who have been sexually abused, particularly in the context of war, conflict, or humanitarian crises. The training covered a wide range of topics, including therapeutic approaches, communication strategies, and the ethical considerations involved in working with such vulnerable populations.
Impact and Goals:
This training was designed to empower Ukrainian professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively support and restore the mental health of affected children and their families. To ensure that participants could effectively train others using the manual on their own, a comprehensive six-hour online supervision session was conducted in May.
In collaboration with Children and War foundation
Training: Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT)
- Dates: 15.-16. June 2024
- Duration: 6 hours daily
- Participants: 10
- Hosts and Speakers: Elisabeth Ng Lagndal, Helen Christie, Anna Fedina
The recent Training on Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) was held physically at the MHHRI office in Oslo. Conducted in English, the training was more efficient as no translation was needed. This onsite training aimed to equip individuals who would work with war-affected and refugee populations in Palestine, Middle East, and Ukraine.
This training was specifically tailored for Palestinian and Ukrainian psychologists, equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide effective psychological support to children who have experienced the traumatic impacts of war.
The TRT course covered the core principles of trauma recovery, focusing on practical approaches and methods to help children overcome the psychological effects of their experiences. Participants were engaged in hands-on sessions where they learned how to conduct trauma recovery sessions with children, considering their individual needs, age, and emotional state.
All our gender-based violence manuals can be downloaded for free from the MHHRI website
Three gender-based violence manuals have been developed to support helpers working with women, boys and men, and children who have experienced sexual violence.
These manuals are available in multiple languages, enabling survivors and helpers to access the content in their preferred language while maintaining consistent headlines and numbering. This multilingual approach facilitates teaching when participants and trainers speak different languages. Each manual includes a toolbox of grounding exercises that survivors can use on their own, to manage emotions or in collaboration with a helper. Additionally, helpers can use these exercises for their own self-care.
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We appreciate feedback and comments
Welcome to our new subscribers, we hope you will find our content useful. The Mental Health and Human Rights Info Newsletter is a newsletter with the aim to provide insight on a certain subject across the scope of our work; human rights violations in war and conflict areas and mental health. Our intention is to deliver a newsletter as a short “lecture” where you can find relevant information regarding a specific subject from a mental health perspective. You will receive our newsletter 5 times a year.
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Sincerely yours,
Take care – and we are wishing you all the best.
Sincerely yours,
Mental Health and Human Rights Info teampost@hhri.orgwww.hhri.org
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