1
D626: Public Health policy and advocacy
Task 4: Adapting an Advocacy Plan Internationally
, 2
Ukraine:
This task will address the case of the Ukrainian innocent high school teenagers whose
plight is being overshadowed by the geopolitical and war attention. The Ukrainian teens in high
schools who are between 14 and 18 years old are suffering from psychological trauma, social
isolation, and disruption of their academic life amid this full-scale war. The reality of the
geopolitics of the conflict has resulted in the internal displacement of over 3.7 million people,
the destruction of over 1,600 schools, and the habitation of nearly 3 million people on the
volatile borders of the region (UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, 2025). The Ukrainian youth are
coping with air-raid sirens, basement life, and extreme separation from family members, which
renders them highly susceptible to psychological problems and overburdening the country’s
decentralized health-care system (Sourander et al., 2026).
A2: Benefits of Adaptation
Address Major Professional Workforce Shortages: This intervention helps establish a direct
and accessible emotional support that alleviates an overworked and depleted clinical
workforce that is unable to cope with the overwhelming number of psychiatric patients
resulting from the war-exposed population (Silwal et al., 2026).
Overcome Deep-Rooted Institutional Mental Health Stigma: The use of peer-run clubs in a
familiar environment for the adolescents will help the youth access psychological assistance
without worry, thus overcoming cultural stigma and fear of institutional psychiatry that
keeps families away from accessing any medical help (Yelizarova et al., 2026).
Counteracts Acute Environmental and Academic Isolation: This approach transforms peer
system for those students who suffer from acute environmental and academic isolation
owing to long periods of school closures, providing an essential mechanism that protects
students from experiencing depression and trauma crystallization (Sourander et al., 2026).
B1: Healthcare Regulation
The On the Public Health System (Law No. 2573-IX):
The healthcare and psychosocial systems in Ukraine are governed by the state
regulations that also include emergency provisions in the event of war to deal with the acute
psychological needs of its citizens. The main policy behind this system is "On the Public Health
D626: Public Health policy and advocacy
Task 4: Adapting an Advocacy Plan Internationally
, 2
Ukraine:
This task will address the case of the Ukrainian innocent high school teenagers whose
plight is being overshadowed by the geopolitical and war attention. The Ukrainian teens in high
schools who are between 14 and 18 years old are suffering from psychological trauma, social
isolation, and disruption of their academic life amid this full-scale war. The reality of the
geopolitics of the conflict has resulted in the internal displacement of over 3.7 million people,
the destruction of over 1,600 schools, and the habitation of nearly 3 million people on the
volatile borders of the region (UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, 2025). The Ukrainian youth are
coping with air-raid sirens, basement life, and extreme separation from family members, which
renders them highly susceptible to psychological problems and overburdening the country’s
decentralized health-care system (Sourander et al., 2026).
A2: Benefits of Adaptation
Address Major Professional Workforce Shortages: This intervention helps establish a direct
and accessible emotional support that alleviates an overworked and depleted clinical
workforce that is unable to cope with the overwhelming number of psychiatric patients
resulting from the war-exposed population (Silwal et al., 2026).
Overcome Deep-Rooted Institutional Mental Health Stigma: The use of peer-run clubs in a
familiar environment for the adolescents will help the youth access psychological assistance
without worry, thus overcoming cultural stigma and fear of institutional psychiatry that
keeps families away from accessing any medical help (Yelizarova et al., 2026).
Counteracts Acute Environmental and Academic Isolation: This approach transforms peer
system for those students who suffer from acute environmental and academic isolation
owing to long periods of school closures, providing an essential mechanism that protects
students from experiencing depression and trauma crystallization (Sourander et al., 2026).
B1: Healthcare Regulation
The On the Public Health System (Law No. 2573-IX):
The healthcare and psychosocial systems in Ukraine are governed by the state
regulations that also include emergency provisions in the event of war to deal with the acute
psychological needs of its citizens. The main policy behind this system is "On the Public Health
