The uprooting of families following the Russian invasion of Ukraine has left children at risk of deteriorating mental health. As families seek refuge in neighbouring Romania and elsewhere, the sudden change in children’s circumstances and the disruption of their lives are affecting their emotional well-being.

Frustration, helplessness, loss of control, anxiety, anger and feeling detached are all symptoms manifested under conditions of stress. Seeing family members upset or worried can also affect children’s mental health.

To address this, Good Neighbours UK and UNICEF Romania have joined forces to deliver vital psychosocial support first aid interventions to over 12,000 children at key Romanian border points where most Ukrainian refugee families are arriving in search of safety.

UNICEF has recognised Good Neighbours’ decades long expertise in child protection with a particular focus on delivering psychosocial support to children and their carers in humanitarian situations.

In our podcast, we speak to Kirsten Antoncich, our UKCP Consultant child psychotherapist who went to Romania to help expand our PSS programme and work with local professional specialised in child protection and support.