Strengtheningt MHPSS for Ukraine’s HIV response

From March to December 2024, the USAID-funded Community Action for HIV Control project, implemented by Pact, Inc. in Ukraine, piloted the integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into the work of 14 HIV-focused non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across diverse regions of the country. The project aimed to address the high prevalence of mental health issues—such as depression, anxiety, and trauma—among key and priority populations affected by HIV, and to build the capacity of NGOs to provide accessible, sustainable psychosocial support as part of their routine services.

The initiative was grounded in evidence-based, scalable psychological interventions tailored to the Ukrainian context. It involved selecting and adapting appropriate tools, training nearly 300 non-mental health staff in PSS delivery, and offering structured supervision and peer support through a newly established Community of Practice. In total, over 5,500 clients and 361 NGO personnel received direct mental health support during the project.

A core achievement of the initiative was the co-development and institutionalization of internal mental health policies by all participating NGOs. These policies were based on quality criteria adapted from Health Assessment Europe and aligned with international best practices. They embedded MHPSS into all areas of organizational functioning—strategic planning, service delivery, staff well-being, and community outreach. A stepped-care model was adopted, enabling trained non-specialist staff to offer low-intensity psychosocial interventions, with referral pathways established for more complex cases requiring professional care.

The project also produced a policy framework articulating guiding principles for integration—such as accessibility, person-centredness, safety, non-discrimination, and respect for human rights. Implementation strategies included action planning, routine mental health screening, structured protocols, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure quality and sustainability.

Despite resource constraints, stigma, and workforce limitations, the pilot demonstrated that meaningful mental health integration is feasible and effective in the HIV sector. The results offer a scalable model for institutionalising psychosocial support in community-based HIV services and contribute to Ukraine’s broader goal of achieving epidemic control by 2030 through holistic, client-centred care.