The sixth Re:Open Zakarpattia Forum of ideas and solutions, which brought together representatives of government institutions and non-governmental organizations, state and local authorities, diplomatic and scientific circles, and business, has recently come to an end.

This year, Re:Open Zakarpattia focused on regional development in the context of Ukraine's European integration; the new industrialization of Zakarpattia, environmental challenges and sustainable solutions; the affairs of national minorities and multi-ethnic understanding; demographics, human capital, and mental health; education in multi-ethnic regions; European integration from the bottom up: the role of frontier regions and interregional cooperation; how to develop international support for sustainable partnerships.

Nataliya Kabatsiy, director of the Charitable Organization "Charity Fund "Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya", joined the discussion during the panel discussion "Infrastructure of Care: The Role of Civil Society in Mental Health Recovery". Together with Robert Bosch, vice president of the Foundation, Markus Lux, head of the Special Unit for Ukraine, Valeriya Tatarchuk, executive director and founder of the Charitable Fondation "Your Support", Anna Sokolenko, expert at the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and Ella Musayeva, member of the NGO "Institute of Psychosomatics and Trauma Therapy", the panel participants, moderated by journalist and TV presenter Kateryna Trushyk, discussed topical issues of forming a professional environment for psychosocial support and its response to challenges related to the mental health of the population.

Further in brief.

"We realize that in wartime, the need for psychosocial support is felt by the whole society, meaning all gender and age groups, professions, socioeconomic strata... These circumstances have led us to include professional psychological support for those who need it in all our activities. And experience shows that in shelters, in themed camps for children, during retreat programs and master classes for women and children, our decision has proven to be justified. Just as we understand the needs of society, we also understand the need for MHPSS in terms of the necessary number of specialists with appropriate education, relevant experience, and the ability to deepen it... That is why the Committee is involved in training and professional development programs for psychologists. These include team training under the SETA program, sessions for healthcare workers under the Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP), and so on", added Nataliya Kabatsiy following the discussion.

The forum is an independent discussion platform for decision-makers and policymakers. Re:Open Zakarpattia was launched in 2020 by the NGO "The Institute for Central European Strategy". The forum is held annually in partnership with state and local authorities, businesses, international partners, civil society, and the media.