NGO Community Self-Help and administration of the Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (VIKNU) have had an important strategic meeting. The collaboration of Community Self-Help and VIKNU is governed by the memorandum as of 2023. It involves various aspects of development of military training programs, particularly in the psychosocial sphere, including brining them in line with the NATO standards.

NGO Community Self-Help was represented by: advocacy officer Yevhenia Kurbatska, head of the “Insurance of Quality of MHPSS Services” department Marta Pyvovarenko, and the communication assistant Tetyana Didur. The Chief of the Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv colonel Oleksii Siroshtan provided the warmest possible welcome and informed of future joint events to be held within the framework of this partnership.

The discussion also focused on implementation of “Veteran Journey Map” Program. The strategy from recruitment to the army through all the following stages of a serviceman’s life became a foundation for collaboration of the ministries of defense and veterans of the USA and Ukraine and the Ukrainian government and is regarded as the unifying model for care of the well-being of both a serviceman and a veteran. The main common goal is to make the work of military social workers an effective tool, implement social support for the military and their family members, make the work of institutions transparent in the points of contact with a military and a veteran’s family. And now, VIKNU confidently and consistently applies these methods in its education and training system and practical work.

The topics discussed:

1️⃣ Building a system of early involvement of cadets in practice.

The Military Institute has developed a model enabling the psychologies-to-be and future officers of social support to have practice at military recruitment centers and clinics during their training course to get ready for providing support to the military at hospitals. Thus, while studying, the cadets are able to be involved in actual work and gain hands-on experience in conditions as close as possible to the reality of service.

2️⃣ Implementation of Combat Operational Stress Control (COSC) protocols within the reform of the personnel mental support system.

COSC is the approach to organization of prevention efforts, detection and response to combat stress before it causes severe psycho-sociological consequences. It means not only individual’s aid but establishing a support system – staff selection and training, psychological resilience assessment, preparation to service, support to military leaders. In other words, it means transition from reactive to preventive thinking in the work aimed at ensuring mental health of the military personnel.

These are issues highlighted during the discussion of Marta Pyvovarenko and Oleksii Siroshtan. And we are happy to contribute knowledge and expertise of NGO Community Self-Help team to the building of this system of mental support in Ukraine. The professional expertise invested in work of the public sector of state authorities and institutions ensures the achievement of sustainable results in strengthening this state.