A quarter of Ukraine’s population could develop serious mental illness as the country struggles to resist a Russian invasion that has lasted nearly a year.
This is according to a senior health official.
Michel Kazachkin, member of the Drug Policy Commission for Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia, said the conflict in Ukraine has not only led to a shortage of medical supplies and personnel, but also created a serious threat to mental health.
The WHO estimates that “one in four people in Ukraine is currently at risk of serious mental illness,” said Kazachkin, who is also a special adviser in the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Speaking about his recent visit to Ukraine’s Dnieper, Kazachkin said he saw dozens of military personnel hospitalized with acute anxiety, depression and mental disorders.
