The OHIO Alliance for Population Health in Ukraine

As the world watches the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine, many people around the globe and in the United States are trying to help.  Some send donations to international relief organizations delivering food, shelter, medicine, and support to refugees.  Other choose to go to Ukraine or surrounding countries to help those who fled while still others welcome refugees in their homes and communities.  More than 25% of the 45 million Ukrainians have been displaced since the war began.  Many have left the country but still more have found refuge in private homes, churches, and businesses in areas of the country less impacted by war.

The OHIO Alliance for Population Health partner organizations are rising to the occasion to help those in need.  A team of University of Toledo nurses and physicians travelled to Poland, in July, to provide trauma training for Ukrainian medical professionals. Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, director of Xavier’s Center for Equity Justice and Human Spirit, was asked to create mental health modules to train Ukrainian psychologists. These modules will help psychologists assist Ukraine refugees during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Dr. West-Olatunji is a professor in Xavier’s counseling education program and the Director and founder of Xavier’s Center for Traumatic Stress Research.

Unlike in previous conflicts, the internet is providing revolutionary opportunities to help fill the gap in services and provide direct person to person support.  An orphanage in Chernivtsi, Ukraine reached out for help in counseling children traumatized by war.  Ohio University Associate Professor Dr. Jenny Shadik responded by connecting them with the Child Life Disaster Relief organization, a team of child trauma specialists.  Within a few weeks, CLDR board member Katie Nees organized volunteers to train staff, online, and provide virtual counseling sessions for the children.  Chernivtsi orphanage Director Zhanna Yanchuck said:

“The Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children of Chernivtsi Regional State Administration expresses its sincere gratitude to the organization Child Life Disaster Support for fruitful cooperation.Given the challenges of today, the emotional support of children who have experienced traumatic events is incredibly important. During the previous two weeks, six classes for children of different ages were held, as well as one training for the educators and psychologists. Pupils of our institution got acquainted with several breathing and relaxation techniques, found out more about their own emotions learned to pay attention to the bodily manifestations oftheir feelings. The children reported that after the lessons their mood improved, their anxiety decreased, and they understood each other better.”

Following the success in the Chernivtsi orphanage, the Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions decided to help create a training room in Chernivtsi where online training could be provided to residents seeking to help their neighbors.  Associate Professor of Instruction and Field Director for the Community Health Worker program, Kerri Shaw, is leading over 20 through training.  Those 20 people will then return to their homes and villages to act as care extenders for communities whose numbers have been swollen by an influx of refugees.

Now, unlike ever before, people who want to help can connect with individuals in other countries who desperately need it.  People who care can continue to give money to respected relief organizations, and now they can virtually be present, in the midst of conflict, to lend much needed expertise and support. For more information on how connect with Ukrainian relief efforts, please email Rick Hodges at hodgesr@ohio.edu.