Mental health and psychosocial support for Ukrainian displaced people: lessons from LOOP project

Abstract Background Loket Ontheemden Oekraïne PSH (LOOP) is a Dutch Desk for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Ukrainian Displaced people. Being a cooperative of organisations funded by the Dutch ministry of Asylum and Migration, it started in 2022 as a central information and referral centre for care providers to support psychosocial support for displaced people from Ukraine. Methods LOOP is a knowledge and sparring partner for anyone (local, regional or national) who works with displaced persons from Ukraine to support the identification, prevention and resolution of psychosocial complaints. Professionals can contact the LOOP helpdesk for help with psychological problems, challenging situations within shelters, advice on nuisance, addiction and problems with children and families, but also to prevent psychosocial problems. LOOP offers information through its website, webinars and newsletters. It advises municipalities, regional organisations and the national government on the organisation of MHPSS, access to care and policies. To help address MHPSS issues in shelters, LOOP organises InterVision sessions with experts. LOOP creates awareness for needed actions by putting these topics on the agenda of regional and national institutions. Results LOOP has been appreciated by professionals working in and around the Ukraine shelters in the Netherlands. Mostly appreciated by its target group are: being a guide in finding information and interventions on MHPSS and creation of specific new arrangements for Ukrainian displayed people; giving perspectives for action; enabling peer-to-peer exchange. Concusion LOOP has been valued for its potential for knowledge exchange between professionals who work with displaced Ukrainian persons, and enhance support and solutions for displaced people in need of MHPSS during a prolonged crisis. EU collaboration will improve circumstances of displaced people and with that lower the need for MHPSS.