Mental Health Services to Become an Integral Part of National and International Crisis Response Strategies

Mental health services should become an essential part of every national and international crisis preparedness and response strategy, as psychosocial support plays a crucial role in helping both rescuers and citizens cope with stress and recover more quickly — this was the key message from the closing conference “EU4Health: Providing Quality and Timely Psychological First Aid to People Affected by the Crisis in Ukraine”, organised by the Red Cross of Montenegro.

The project, implemented by the Red Cross organisations in Herceg Novi, Tivat, Bar, and Budva, aimed to provide direct psychosocial support to those affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

Jelena Dubak, Secretary General of the Red Cross of Montenegro, stated that Montenegro, like the rest of the world, is witnessing a rise in problems related to mental health.

Copyright: Red Cross of Montenegro

“These trends are strongly influenced by global challenges — armed conflicts, economic instability, climate change, and general social uncertainty. All these circumstances contribute to an increased sense of insecurity, anxiety, and helplessness. They also remind us that without proper care for mental health, there can be no real help or recovery. Our mission is to provide psychosocial support in every situation — whether in emergencies or everyday life challenges — to restore a sense of control, dignity, and hope. It helps people reconnect, find strength within themselves and others, and move forward despite difficulties. This is the value the Red Cross cherishes and develops, and it will remain our priority in the future,” Dubak emphasised.

Aneta Trgachevska, Project Manager at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, called on governments, European institutions, and all partners to build upon the foundations set by this project and ensure that mental health services become an integral part of every national and international crisis preparedness and response strategy. She stated that the project experience had shown that investing in sustainable mental health systems is crucial, both nationally and internationally.

Trgachevska reminded participants that, on average, only two per cent of national budgets are allocated to this field. At the same time data show that 59 per cent of people need psychosocial support, and only 19 per cent actually receive it.

Copyright: Red Cross of Montenegro

“Mental health and psychosocial support cannot and must not be limited to the duration of a single project. The needs remain, and our joint task is to ensure continuous support even after individual programmes have ended,” Trgachevska stressed.

Andrea Hochhuber, Deputy Head of the Sector for European Integration, Politics, Media and Information at the Delegation of the EU to Montenegro, said that the European Union want to support mental health and psychosocial assistance for those affected.
“Under the EU4Health programme — our largest health initiative to date, with a budget of €4.4 billion — we have supported health systems across Europe to strengthen their capacity in this area,” Hochhuber said.

According to her, national health strategies must also include mental health support as part of a comprehensive response to the needs of displaced persons and refugees. “Since the onset of the crisis in March 2022, Montenegro has provided support to all Ukrainians who arrived — granting them access to education, healthcare, and the right to work,” Hochhuber added.

Psychologist at the Red Cross of Montenegro, Aleksandra Vujović, emphasised that results are not measured only by numbers but also by changes in people’s lives.
“We organised a series of training sessions on psychological first aid and psychosocial support, attended by a total of 228 participants, and provided 5,216 individual and group support services. To make support more accessible, we developed a digital tool, Buddybot, which allows users to easily access psychoeducational materials and guidelines in a language they understand,” Vujović explained.

During the panel discussion “The Role of Psychosocial Support in Crisis Situations”, Žarko Lukšić, Deputy Director for Maritime Safety Operations at the Maritime Safety and Port Management Authority, highlighted the importance of psychological preparation and support for rescuers and operational staff who have daily engagement in complex and stressful maritime rescue operations.
“When an operation ends and we return home, that’s when the relaxation begins. Everything that happens during an operation — reporting, communication with centres, gathering information — leaves a mark on each of us. Even though we are professionally trained, these experiences become part of our lives, and we often relive them even after everything is over,” Lukšić said.

Copyright: Red Cross of Montenegro

He noted that rescuers and operators are exposed to challenging scenes and great responsibility, emphasising that they need proper professional support to function effectively in future operations. Without quality training and a constant focus on mental health, he said, it is difficult to maintain long-term team readiness. Rescuers and operators are often under constant pressure — even when off duty, they must be ready to respond to any call.

Aco Vulević, Head of the Protection and Rescue Service in Bar, said that saving a life brings great satisfaction.
“Our people are brave and often think they’re invincible, that they can handle everything. But there comes a moment when even the strongest need to talk. You can talk to a friend, but talking to a professional has a special value. It’s not a sign of weakness — it’s a way to unburden yourself and preserve your health,” Vulević explained.

Julija Krykun, a recipient of psychosocial support services, said that arriving in Montenegro marked the beginning of a challenging yet healing journey of recovery for her and her family.
“In the early days, we found refuge in the Red Cross, where we received not only material assistance but also psychological support. We came with nothing, but they listened to us, helped us, and made us realise we were not alone. For the first time, I felt understood. I could talk about everything — my fears, my family, my daily worries. At the Red Cross, I learnt to breathe again, to live more slowly, to talk. People there truly listened — without judgement. My children made friends, learnt the language, and started smiling again. That was real help — not just material, but human and warm,” Krykun said.