The Netherlands Pledges €2.8 Million to Support Ukrainian Police Officers with PTSD
November 22, 2024
On 21 November, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the launch of the Blue Haven for Ukraine project, backed by over €2.8 million in funding.
The project aims to address the pressing issue of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Ukrainian law enforcement officers, exacerbated by Russia’s ongoing war and the challenging conditions in liberated and adjacent territories.
Police officers often face extreme stress and trauma, making proper psychological support essential. The Blue Haven for Ukraine project will help develop and implement a robust mental health and psychosocial support system within the National Police of Ukraine to better manage stress and PTSD among its officers.
Key activities will include:
– Establishing a safe space called Blue Haven for Ukraine by deploying stationary and mobile psychosocial support stations;
– Training police officers in advanced psychological methods to handle stress and trauma effectively;
– Integrating EU best practices into Ukraine’s mental health and psychosocial support framework.
“The ultimate goal of this initiative is to improve the mental well-being of Ukrainian police officers. As first responders, they constantly face high levels of stress. We are committed to supporting them in various ways, and the Blue Haven for Ukraine project is a key part of this effort. It will enable officers to perform more effectively and contribute to safer communities across Ukraine,” said Maura O’Sullivan, Deputy Head of the EUAM.
This project is part of a broader effort of EUAM to reform and strengthen Ukraine’s civilian security sector, demonstrating the Netherlands’ and the EU’s steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine during these challenging times.
