Background of this invitation
The invasion by Russia, which has been ongoing for more than three years, has had a significant impact on the mental health of the Ukrainian people. To address the rapidly increasing mental health care needs, the Ukrainian government is strengthening its psychological support and mental health care system: in 2023, the first lady’s “How are you? /Ти як?” nationwide initiative, and the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Council of Ministers (henceforth “Coordination Center”) is coordinating central and local ministries, national and international experts, national donors and international organizations.
This time, Director of the Coordination Center Oksana Zvitneva, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Ihori Kuzin, and 9 other government officials and psychiatrists came to Japan from February 15 to 25, 2025 to exchange information with psychiatrists and medical school instructors in Japan on the latest treatment methods and research results. The nine participants are now in Japan.
Interaction with faculty members and medical students of the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine
On February 18, the Ukrainian delegation visited the Department of Mental Health and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, and gave a lecture to medical students and others. During the lecture, Center Director Zvitneva revealed the results of a survey showing that 83% of Ukrainians feel stress. Also, Oleh Chaban, professor of psychiatry at the National Bohomolets Medical University, explained that in 2023 the number of patients with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) among the civilian population increased fourfold compared to 2021. Furthermore, he emphasized the characteristic that PTSD usually develops in men who have become soldiers, and that in the case of Ukrainian men, PTSD often manifests itself as physical symptoms, and that it is necessary to treat both physical symptoms and psychological trauma in a comprehensive manner.
Professor Daisuke Nishi of the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Medicine gave a lecture on the achievements of utilizing trauma-informed care in Japan, emphasizing the importance of therapists and supporters understanding trauma in Ukraine, where many people have trauma-related illnesses in addition to physical symptoms such as heart disease and joint pain.
Visiting Japanese Medical Institutions ① The University of Tokyo Hospital
On February 19, the delegation visited the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology of the University of Tokyo Hospital, where they were briefed on the Recovery Center and Day Hospital programs held three times a week, observed farm work and other activities, and interacted with members of the program. The Ukrainian side asked many questions about the program’s implementation system and other psychiatric initiatives.
I was impressed by the energy of the people who came to visit the Center to improve mental health services in the midst of the devastation of the war. It was also a valuable opportunity for us to learn from the many similarities in the issues faced in the clinical field,” commented Shinsuke Kondo, Director of the Recovery Center.
Visiting Medical Institutions in Japan (2) National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
On February 21, the delegation visited the National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry in Kodaira City, and attended lectures by Dr. Yoshiharu Kim, Director Emeritus, Dr. Hyundeok Jang, Director, and other experts at the center. In the lectures, they were introduced to the world’s first Basic Law on Suicide Prevention, suicide prevention measures based on this law, the latest research results on PTSD treatment, and treatment methods using advanced medical equipment. After the lecture, the delegation toured clinical sites.
All the mental health care projects that are being developed in Ukraine can only be implemented with the support of other countries. Without such support, our country would not be able to cope with the current situation. Therefore, partnerships with other countries are essential for us, but it is important that we work together to develop cooperation schemes to ensure that their support has the greatest impact.
Japan’s experience in helping trauma survivors recover is invaluable to us,” reflected Zvitneva.
We hope that this invitation will help strengthen Ukraine’s mental health care and psychiatry systems and human resource development, and will be the first step in establishing ties between Japan and Ukraine.
© Source JICA
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