Since the onset of the Ukraine crisis in late February 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Czech Republic has been pivotal in integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for Ukrainian refugees into the country’s humanitarian efforts. Addressing the high levels of depression and anxiety among refugees, revealed in survey by the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ), WHO collaborated with the Czech Ministry of Health to establish a 70-member MHPSS Technical Working Group. This group, comprising representatives from 27 organizations, has contributed to providing MHPSS interventions across seven regions, benefiting 247 000 Ukrainian refugees. Key achievements include enhancing the capacity of 44 service providers, conducting over 2500 mental health consultations, and facilitating access to MHPSS services for 500 people in 2023. The work directly contributed to the country workplan output 1.1.1. aligning with the global goal of enabling countries to deliver high quality, people centred health services, thereby contributing to broader global objectives by promoting health equity and addressing disparities in healthcare access. It focused specifically on addressing the increased mental health needs of a vulnerable population, in alignment with the joint refugee response plan in the country.
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