In the context of today’s challenges, Ukraine’s social sector needs new approaches and effective solutions. That is why the PRO WOMEN UA team has created a guide that will be a useful resource for social workers, psychologists, representatives of the helping professions, as well as for military personnel, veterans, and their families.
The guide covers key aspects of social support and psychological well-being. The main topics covered are:
- basic aspects of social service provision – legislative framework, social support structure for military personnel and their families, crisis situations, and conflict management;
- assistance for professionals in the helping professions – prevention of emotional burnout, methods for supporting the well-being of social workers, advice for managers;
- practical exercises for stabilizing the psycho-emotional state – breathing techniques, methods of recovery during stress and crisis situations;
- information about the regulatory framework, useful resources, and contacts of organizations that provide support to military personnel and their families.
With the outbreak of full-scale war, Ukraine’s social sector faced unprecedented challenges. Problems that had been accumulating for years became even more acute. Therefore, this manual offers practical solutions for improving the provision of social services, in particular, improving the quality of social support for military personnel and their families, supporting professionals working in difficult conditions, finding effective methods to prevent professional burnout, and developing crisis communication and conflict management skills.
Given the information contained in the manual, it will be useful for social workers who work with military personnel and their families, professionals in the helping professions (psychologists, counselors, social program managers), heads of social institutions and organizations, and representatives of public initiatives that provide support to war victims.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, the manual contains practical recommendations, exercises, and algorithms for action in crisis situations. For example, it discusses methods for coping with stress, effective communication techniques, and exercises for self-recovery. This makes it an indispensable tool in the daily work of social services.
The manual was developed in collaboration with experts in the field of social services, psychology, and community initiative management with financial support from the German Marshall Fund of the United States of America. Its content is the sole responsibility of PRO WOMEN UA and does not necessarily reflect the position of the German Marshall Fund. It is available for review and use by anyone working in the field of social support at the link and on the organization’s social media pages.
Thanks to this resource, the PRO WOMEN UA team hopes to strengthen the capabilities of helping professions and make the social sphere in Ukraine even more effective.