Office Nasal polyposis: a "nose" problem
Self-care Everything you need to know to take your blood pressure correctly
Find out more The components of infant milk in detail: what they are and what function they have
Tips Dr. TikTok and dr.
Instagram, this is how social networks seriously harm health
Since 2017 I have been lucky enough to be able to travel to the field to learn about different projects carried out by UNICEF in places like Senegal, Niger or the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan.
Projects that, every day, positively transform the lives of many people.
This new mission in which I have participated together with Dr. Lucía Galán (Lucía, my pediatrician) was born with a clear and direct hashtag: #356ConUcrania.
As we all know, last week marked one year since this terrible war began and the objective of our trip with UNICEF to Krakow and the Polish-Ukrainian border was to remember that there are still 7.8 million children (and their families) paying the consequences of a conflict that they have not provoked.
There is talk of 487 children killed and 954 injured, but the real figures are likely to be much higher.
And although the lack of vaccines or food is a reality, if I had to choose one impression from this trip it would be that, a year later, the great challenge regarding refugees is being able to address mental health problems.
"A war is when strangers come and suddenly they start shooting. Even though we didn't expect it. So now, we are always afraid of something. And the worst is shelling, especially when they hit your house. It's also hard not having any food and having to ask people.
Bohdan, 10 years old.
Izyum, eastern Ukraine.
Infant schools: the figure of the psychologist is key
While we were visiting a kindergarten in the center of Krakow, one of the teachers explained to us how the reflections of refugee children regarding their situation outside the country have gradually evolved: A year ago they thought they had come to Poland on vacation and that it would be a short stay.
Now they are beginning to talk about having "two houses."
This center, which arose at the initiative of a group of Polish women and is now 85% financed by UNICEF, has grown to more than 700
children on the waiting list.
They explained to us that, if it is already difficult to leave your country, your friends and even your father figure, and add it to various traumatic situations (some have spent several days or weeks sheltering in basements and tunnels), the fact of being able to "go to school" surrounded by other children who speak your language helps make the transition smoother.
Although they learn English and Polish, in this center all the students are Ukrainian, as are the teachers and the psychologist who attend them.
Yes, I have written "teachers" in the plural and "psychologist" in the singular.
For this group of 120 children there is only one psychologist who, on many occasions, ends up also having to attend to the mothers of the students.
Something that caught my attention during the trip is that in different centers they insisted on the importance of being able to count on Ukrainian-speaking psychologists, since when a translator intervenes, the therapies do not develop with the same naturalness.
This is especially relevant in the case of women who have suffered abuse.
Psychosocial help centers: music and art to heal the mind
After getting to know the nursery school, we were able to visit a psychosocial help center where they care for more than 500 children with traumas, adaptation and behavior problems.
Also children with autism.
In Ukraine, as in other corners of the world, mental health is still a taboo and stigma on many occasions.
Even so, UNICEF has managed to reach more than 3.3 million children and caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support, including 357,963 children with disabilities.
At the center we had the opportunity to chat with professionals from the team.
Psychologists, speech therapists, therapists, educators, physiotherapists and teachers (yes, they were all women) work there to help with learning problems in a 360-degree coordinated action.
This means that each child undergoes an individual diagnosis and that the help does not end within the walls of the center, but rather the guidelines that will later be followed in their study centers are indicated.
We were moved to see how the cabinets in the center were presided over by easels with multiple drawings made by the refugee children themselves.
And that there were giant bongos and instruments everywhere.
Treatment includes music therapy, art, theater, stories and many support activities with which children feel comfortable and can develop.
Psychologists give them hope in the future.
And so, within these walls, little by little, girls and boys end up not only talking about their fears, but also about their dreams and goals.
Blue dots: safe spaces for children
On the second day we arrived at the border where UNICEF has established safe spaces for children known as Puntos Azules.
In them, and in collaboration with other organizations such as the Scout Movement, the most urgent needs of children and their families are met.
One of these Blue Points is at the Medyka border crossing, through which it is estimated that between 20-22% of Ukrainians have left their country.
We approached this place on the morning of February 24, one year after the start of the war.
It was overwhelming to see how new families crossed the gate of the border crossing for the first time, avoiding the television cameras and reporters who were broadcasting the anniversary.
They were generally groups of mothers and grandmothers followed by large groups of boys, girls and the occasional adolescent.
Some arrived after a trip of up to 6 days, loaded with backpacks, bundles and suitcases.
Every time one of these families crosses the border on foot, a "blue vest" respectfully approaches them asking if they need any information or help.
Some refugees walked with a firm step and seemed to have a very clear idea of their destination (perhaps staying with a relative or friend).
But many others didn't even know very well where they were, so the first thing they do at the Blue Point is to show them their location on a map.
At the Blue Points, refugees receive advice on how they can move around the country and what help is available on a case-by-case basis.
They also offer them first aid if necessary, some food and, as usual in UNICEF spaces, games and entertainment for the children while the mothers receive all the information they need to continue their journey.
In addition, they find psychosocial support and, on some occasions, are referred to local health services when necessary.
Unicef has established more than 40 Blue Points in total, not only at border crossings on foot but also at train stations.
Some are even located in the center of cities such as Krakow to meet the needs of refugees beginning their integration in the city.
The great challenge: mental health
Now that fortunately in Spain, after the pandemic, we speak more openly than ever about mental health, it is worth reflecting on the importance of refugees from this war being able to receive the professional help they deserve.
After this trip I have been able to observe how urgent and necessary it is to provide educational and social health centers with a greater number of psychologists and psychiatrists (especially Ukrainian-speaking).
If it is within your means, remember that the best way to help is to collaborate with emergency professionals who act locally.
This war has not yet ended and even if it did tomorrow there will be many wounds to heal.
Don't forget: together, we add up.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
Apothecary Garcia
War Ukraine Russia
Ukraine
Poland