Every year on October 10, the world celebrates World Mental Health Day, which aims to draw attention to mental health issues and their impact on different populations. Mental health becomes particularly relevant in the context of instability and crisis conditions such as war, social exclusion, and discrimination. In the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region, mental disorders remain an important social problem affecting millions, especially members of vulnerable groups such as people living with HIV, the LGBTIQ+ community, sex workers, people who use drugs, and those affected by military conflicts.
The War in Ukraine and Its Impact on Mental Health
One of the most acute challenges for mental health in the EECA region is related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This leads to serious psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, more than 15 million people in Ukraine will need assistance aimed at protecting and maintaining mental health, improving their psychosocial well-being, and preventing and treating mental illness. In addition, war also increases the risk of suicidal behavior among soldiers and civilians. These factors create additional challenges for already overburdened healthcare systems in the region. The need to provide urgent mental health care in a resource-limited environment remains a challenge that the area is trying to address through humanitarian aid, international experience, and the introduction of new techniques.
Mental Health of People Living with HIV
The mental health of people living with HIV is greatly complicated by social stigma and discrimination. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, HIV infection rates remain among the highest in the world. According to UNAIDS, more than 2.1 million people are living with HIV in the EECA region, and about 60% of them regularly experience discrimination because of their status. Social exclusion and stigmatization often lead to depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness, which can affect their mental and physical health. Furthermore, for many of these people, access to health care, including mental health services, is limited due to insufficient funding for relevant programs. This is compounded by additional barriers, such as inequalities in access to health care in remote or rural areas.
Mental Health Challenges for the LGBTIQ+ Community
The mental health of the LGBTIQ+ community in the region is also a critical issue. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, many of its members face persecution, discrimination, and even physical violence. This creates conditions for the development of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. According to a study by the University of California (UCL), members of the LGBTIQ+ community are more than twice as likely as their heterosexual peers to experience suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
Mental Health Issues Among People Who Use Drugs
Drug use is another significant problem for the region, which also directly affects people’s mental health. The EECA region has one of the highest rates of injecting drug use in the world. Members of this community may experience severe mental disorders such as depression or various forms of psychosis. However, access to rehabilitation, psychological support, and treatment services in this setting remains limited due to legal stigma and insufficient support from government harm reduction programs.
Challenges for Sex Workers
Sex workers are also a vulnerable group that experiences a strong impact on mental health due to constant insecurity, discrimination, and violence. Many of them live in fear of persecution by law enforcement agencies or social stigmatization and face mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
The Role of Telemedicine in Mental Health Support
In the context of current challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and military conflicts, telemedicine has become an important tool for providing mental health care. In the EECA region, there is a growing interest in the introduction of digital platforms for counselling, remote support, and psychotherapy. This greatly improves the accessibility of services, especially for people living in remote areas where traditional medical care is difficult to access. Such innovative approaches make it possible to improve access to mental health services even in the most difficult conditions.
You can always get qualified help and find “your” psychologist or psychiatrist by signing up for a consultation with a specialist at Help24 TeleHealth. The services are free and confidentiality is guaranteed.
World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental health problems do not recognize borders and are more relevant than ever, especially in our region. However, through an integrated approach, sharing experiences, and developing modern solutions, we can significantly reduce social isolation and improve the mental state of vulnerable populations.
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