Hope for Children in War-Torn Ukraine

Children don’t start wars, but they do suffer immensely from them. This is also true in Ukraine, where countless young people now require treatment for physical and psychological trauma. The Nadija Foundation, a Nordic-Ukrainian initiative founded by Anne Berner – a Swiss-Finnish dual citizen, entrepreneur and former Finnish minister – is responding by building a hospital, virtual health center and research institute.

The University of Zurich is also involved in the research institute. “The Nadija Foundation asked if I could contribute my expertise,” explains Naser Morina, a privatdozent in psychology at UZH and co-director of the Outpatient Clinic for Victims of Torture and War at University Hospital Zurich (USZ). His work has given him direct insight into how people process conflicts. In addition to UZH, the other founding partners of the research institute are Lviv National Medical University, Ukrainian Catholic University, the University of New South Wales, Linköping University and the University of Cambridge. Other universities, such as Oxford and Oslo, are affiliated with specific projects.

“It’s critical for the research institute to be located in Ukraine,” says Morina. “That’s the only way it can have a lasting impact.” He visited the western Ukrainian city of Lviv in January and was impressed by how resilient people seemed despite the circumstances.

Morina is currently involved in two projects funded by Nadija. One project assesses the mental health of Ukrainian children: 3,000 children throughout the country filled out questionnaires, while another 3,000 questionnaires were completed by their parents. Based on the results, the researchers will be able to give Ukrainian authorities more precise recommendations about which interventions could now help children the most. To record long-term effects, the plan is to repeat the survey with the same children and parents several times over the coming years. 

The second project uses the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) framework, which was developed by the World Health Organization, to teach young people between the ages of 10 and 15 a variety of methods for coping with stress and negative feelings. Parents and caregivers also receive guidance in separate sessions. A research team led by Morina is monitoring the project and will evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

But what does successful trauma treatment for children and adolescents actually entail?  “A sense of safety and stability, along with relationships they can rely on, are of utmost importance,” explains Morina. “Any support we provide must be culturally sensitive and evidence-based. These children need to experience normalcy again; they need to be able to play, to rebuild trust.”  For researchers involved in the Nadija project, one thing is clear: support shouldn’t only be given in a clinical setting but should also be woven into the broader community. That’s why parents and teachers are also being included in the process.

Representatives from participating universities recently met in Stockholm to discuss how to advance the development of the Nadija Research Institute. “UZH’s involvement sends a powerful message. We’re bringing the scientific strength of one of Europe’s top universities to help build an international center for research and expertise,” says Morina. The Nadija Foundation’s projects are unique both in their three-pillar approach (research institute, hospital, virtual health center) and how they link local professionals with international partners. “Nadija means hope in Ukrainian,” says Morina. “This project truly gives me hope that we can create a better future for children. That’s what motivates me as a researcher and as a clinical psychologist.”