Nata Zhyzhchenko,
the lead singer of the Ukrainian musical group ONUKA
the lead singer of the Ukrainian musical group ONUKA
These emotionally exhausting consequences of the full-scale war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than a year, have had negative effects on the mental health of many. We can all experience high levels of anxiety, fear, helplessness, exhaustion and extreme fatigue during times of stress.
When emotions are overwhelming, you may feel like hiding from everyone. It can be difficult to talk about our feelings and experiences. We often think we are strong and can handle them on our own. However, this is not always the case.
Constantly stifling your emotions can lead to feelings of anxiety and exhaustion, which can cause panic attacks or depression. There may be problems with sleep, appetite and concentration. If you seek psychological help in time, it can help you.
Are you experiencing similar symptoms?
Take the first step — call the IOM psychological support hotline.
Take the first step – call the IOM psychological support hotline today!
More than 30 psychologists and psychiatrists work on the psychological support hotline. They provide free counselling to anyone who needs it.
IOM hotline specialists help on three levels:
During the operation of the IOM psychological support hotline, thousands of people received free help from qualified specialists. Here are a few reviews from those who agreed to provide them anonymously:
I am grateful for the opportunity to receive free and high-quality support. It was advice from a friend. Counselling helped my panic attacks go away, and I was able to regain my health, strength and desire to work.
My wife and two children left for Germany due to the war. This left me feeling lonely and I began to mistrust and develop unfounded suspicions about my relationship with my wife. I wanted to fix it, so I got emotional support from the hotline specialist, I talked about my fears, and I began to feel better. I soon realized that nothing was really that bad, and that my wife and I truly love each other. The psychologist helped me determine what to do to enhance the relationship, and after the call I felt confident and full of hopes.
After my husband’s passing, I suffered from depression for two years. The prescribed treatment did not help. I am grateful that the psychologist told me about a comprehensive approach, and supported me in the search for a suitable treatment. Now, I feel better and am able to work.
I have had panic disorders for 6 years, and after the start of the full-scale war, my condition worsened. I’d been thinking a lot before calling the hotline, but the psychologist helped from the first call. We were able, in a relatively short period of time, to not only improve my condition, but to also stop the panic attacks, which I have not had for 2 months since then.
The work of the hotline would not be possible without the dedicated professionals who make every effort to help all those who seek support. Here are a few words from those working on the hotline:
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Call one of the numbers below to get free psychological support:
• Ukraine: +380 800 211 444
• Czech Republic: +420 800 050 770
• Poland: +48 800 088 091, +48 22 104 32 38
• Slovakia: +421 800 601 078
• United Kingdom: +44 808 164 8668
• Lithuania: +370 800 00 474
• Hungary: +36 80 984 544 (Monday-Saturday)
The IOM psychological support hotline is free of charge and anonymous, every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Kyiv time). For consultations in English, Arabic, and Bengali, call the same numbers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. on weekends (Kyiv time).
Psychological help from IOM is free and available to everyone, regardless of age, gender or situation. Hotline psychologists help to cope with emotions, improve relationships, facilitate adaptation in a new place and solve other psychological problems.
IOM hotline specialists help on three levels:
1. Consultation with a crisis psychologist.
2. A series of up to 8 consultations with a psychologist over the phone or via video at a time convenient for you.
3. Consultation with a psychiatrist.
The hotline works anonymously. Specialists adhere to the rules of confidentiality and do not disclose the personal data of people who apply, or any information received during the conversation.
You can get individual help at three levels: an initial consultation by a crisis psychologist over the phone, a series of up to 8 consultations or specialized help from a psychiatrist over the phone, in messengers or through Skype with a psychologist at a convenient and pre-arranged time.
The IOM psychological support hotline operates in seven countries: Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Great Britain and Slovakia. Consultations are available in Ukrainian, Russian, English, Arabic and Bengali.
After a consultation with a crisis psychologist, you can receive a series of up to 8 consultations with a psychologist over the phone or via video. The hotline works free of charge regardless of the number of calls, and no fee is charged for additional consultations, upon request.
Currently, more than 30 psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists work on the IOM hotline. All hotline specialists have specialized education and long -term practice, and provide help in accordance with WHO standards.
Psychologists of the IOM hotline offer support with any psychological request. You can talk about what is bothering you, what is causing negative emotions, or what is affecting your mental health. Every request is important to us.
The hotline is a part of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programme of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency.
IOM has been working in Ukraine since 1996. Since February 2022, IOM has been providing multipurpose assistance to the population and communities affected by the war. The team provides psychological support through a network of mobile medical clinics in the regions, and also conducts recreational activities in communities.
For psychologists, operators of government hotlines and people who work directly with the affected population, IOM organizes educational trainings on psychological first aid, in particular within the framework of cooperation with the Olena Zelenska’s National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programme
Learn more about the IOM activities on the official website:
https://ukraine.iom.int
The site was created with the financial support from:
Free and anonymous help from qualified psychologists
