EU grant for project U-RISE
For improving mental well-being of Ukrainian refugees
The project called U-RISE, coordinated by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), will receive 700.000 euro to improve the mental well-being of Ukrainian refugees. ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre provides within this project psychological interventions aimed at families.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, millions of people have fled the country. Refugees are at increased risk of developing mental health problems, posing significant challenges to host countries health care systems. U-RISE aims "to provide mental health and psychosocial support for Ukrainians displaced in bordering countries" and is funded by the EU.
The grant will allow the international group of researchers led by Els van der Ven, Marit Sijbrandij and Iryna Frankova to bring together researchers and other stakeholders at the international level to better organize care for this vulnerable group.
Multi-Family Groups
The U-RISE project deploys multiple psychological interventions, including Multi Family Approach (MFA). This is the area of expertise of special professor at ARQ, Trudy Mooren. This preventive intervention targets families exposed to traumatic stress.
ARQ will train psychologists in Poland, Slovakia and Romania to lead these group sessions with refugee Ukrainian parents. With the goal of strengthening parenting skills and attachment relationships within families. Parents support other parents; children find recognition and acknowledgement.
The Multi-Family Approach leads to a sense of hope and empowerment. By strengthening new parenting techniques, intergenerational consequences can be prevented.