Volunteer Vira Nabilska led the first psychosocial support course in Ukrainian
The ‘Turvallinen mieli’ (‘Secure Mind’) project of the Finnish Red Cross has been organising courses for volunteers and employees to support their readiness to face people who have fled from a conflict zone. In February 2024, a basic course on psychosocial support was organised in Ukrainian for the first time in Finland.
The instructor for the first Ukrainian course on psychosocial support was Vira Nabilska from Ukraine. Vira came to Finland five years ago to work as a psychologist. When the conflict in Ukraine escalated, she was eager to help. At first, she helped Ukrainians on her own, supporting them in adapting to Finland and offering them practical aid.
“I helped the Ukrainians who arrived here in Kaskinen with many practical arrangements, such as seeking temporary protection. My friends and I also sent material aid to Ukraine,” Vira says.
Later, once she found out about the Red Cross ‘Turvallinen mieli’ project, she wanted to join the activities.
“I believe I have a psychological need to volunteer, it’s a type of healthy selfishness. Helping those who are the most vulnerable is what makes us human,” Vira describes her motivation for aid work.
It is essential that people receive psychological aid. Mental wellbeing is the foundation for everything.
Psychological first aid in Ukrainian
The basic course on psychosocial support instructed by Vira had seven participants. Vira describes the mood at the start of the course as hopeful and curious. Even though the course dealt with the serious topic of facing people in a crisis, the atmosphere in the classroom was calm and warm. In practice, these courses teach psychological first aid skills.
“You could sense the positive mood! One of the participants said it was like a breath of fresh air after a long time. At the end, we took group photos and hugged each other,” Vira says.
Vira hopes that the Red Cross will continue to arrange courses for refugees from Ukraine. She would also like to be involved in the courses, herself. In the future, Vira would like to practise her profession as a psychologist closer to conflict zones and help Ukrainian women, in particular.
“It is essential that people receive psychological aid. Mental wellbeing is the foundation for everything,” Vira summarises the idea.
The ‘Turvallinen mieli’ (‘Secure Mind’) 2023–2025 project aims to support the mental health of those who have fled a conflict to Finland and the wellbeing of the volunteers who help them. The project’s education activities strengthen the multicultural and psychosocial skills of volunteers and employees.
The instructors of the psychosocial support activities developed in the project are trained Finnish Red Cross volunteers. The activities help strengthen aspects such as the emotional skills and stress management of the participants.
