In the Mykolaiv region, an interregional forum “Trauma-informed approach in the system of state reforms: challenges and opportunities” took place, organized by the initiative “Ze!Women of Mykolaiv Region”, which is associated with the party “Servant of the People”. The event brought together women leaders, community representatives, experts and psychologists to discuss one of the most urgent problems of our time — the impact of the war and traumatic experiences on society. The main goal of the forum was to raise awareness about implementing a trauma-informed approach within the system of state reforms, since under a full-scale war millions of Ukrainians live in a state of chronic stress.
The participants examined in detail how experienced traumas affect a person’s physical condition, psyche and behavior. It was emphasized that without taking these factors into account, public services can be ineffective or even cause additional harm. That is why the key task is to create a more sensitive, professional and humane system of interaction with the population.
During the forum, a number of important directions were identified. In particular, the participants concluded on the need for close cooperation between government bodies, civil society organizations and mental health professionals. They also stressed the importance of developing local leaders and the systematic training of specialists who can work with traumatized people on the ground.
Special attention was paid to the dissemination of trauma-informed principles in communities. This means an approach in which state institutions take into account a person’s experience, their psychological state and the risks of re-traumatization. Participants emphasized that this will help not only improve the quality of services but also increase trust in state institutions, which has been significantly damaged in recent years.
Among the key results of the forum, ways to reduce the risks of re-traumatization and approaches to strengthening the psychological resilience of the population were also identified. Participants noted that these issues are critically important for the country’s post-war recovery, because without a stable psycho-emotional state among citizens no reforms will have a long-term effect.
Profile experts joined the discussion. In particular, the debate included a Candidate of Art Studies and lecturer in the Department of Psychology and Pedagogical Education Kateryna Mirzoyan, as well as a psychologist from the Mental Health Center at Bashtanka Multidisciplinary Hospital Anna Markevych. They shared practical experience of working with people who had experienced traumatic events and outlined modern approaches to psychological support.
The forum served as a platform for active exchange of experience between participants and experts. It also provided an opportunity to establish new partnerships that can become the basis for further cooperation in implementing trauma-informed practices in the communities of Mykolaiv region.
