“Blue Haven for Ukraine”

The European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine, with financial and expert support from the Dutch government and in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, has launched the ‘Blue Haven for Ukraine’ project, EU Neighbours East portal informs.

The initiative is focused on creating an effective psychosocial support system for employees of the National Police of Ukraine (NPU). The project seeks to enhance the psychological resilience of law enforcement officers, whose work brings significant stress and psychological trauma due to the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and continuing attacks against civilians and the law enforcement agencies in the liberated territories and in areas close to the front.

“In frontline areas, police officers and personnel of the National Guard work under enormous pressure. They are frequently targeted by Russian artillery, drones, and guided bombs. Beyond the ever-present physical danger, these officers investigate deeply traumatic war crimes involving victims who have endured horrific experiences. Supporting and interviewing these victims inevitably leads to emotional strain for the officers themselves,” said EUAM’s Head of Mission Rolf Holmboe. He added that without proper support, unresolved mental trauma experienced by law enforcement officers could affect their families and the communities they serve.

As part of the project, psychosocial support centres will be established in Lviv, Kyiv, Rivne, and Vinnytsia, and 13 mobile offices will be deployed to operate in liberated and adjacent territories.

Police psychologists and social police officers will undergo advanced training programmes on how to address stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological issues.

The programme will also involve international experts to boost the integration of best European practices into the mental health support system of the NPU.