Yuliia Sidenko, Director of the Mental Health Research and Training Centre at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, has completed training for specialists in group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depression.

The intensive training course is organised by the International Medical Corps in cooperation with the Coordination Centre for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the World Health Organisation, and the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College of Columbia University, with the support of GIZ, as part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme “How Are You?” – an initiative of Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. The initiative is being implemented within the framework of the GIZ Ukraine project “Gender-sensitive approaches to mental health and psychosocial support in Ukraine”, funded by the Government of Germany.

Every day, in communities across Ukraine, people continue to live, work, and care for others while quietly battling depression. The training was therefore organised to support them in this invisible struggle. It presents a structured, evidence-based approach that helps people connect their mood with life events and relationships and find new ways of coping with difficulties.

Group IPT provides a safe space to talk about loss, change, and conflict, reduce isolation, and strengthen communication. Research shows that it can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, while improving daily functioning. During the pilot phase, mental health professionals were trained to implement group IPT in universities, mental health centres, and other services, working under a unified protocol and international quality standards.

Source: International Medical Corps