Blue Haven for Ukraine: EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine launches project second phase

At the beginning of April, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine presented Phase II of the Blue Haven for Ukraine project, aiming to support Ukrainian police officers to cope with mental health issues in the context of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine.

The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as well as international partners from the Netherlands, which continue to support this project.

“When this initiative first began, it was rooted in a simple yet powerful idea: to create a safe and supportive programme where people facing mental health challenges could find stability,” said Richard Reukema, EUAM Adviser on Community Policing. “Today, it has become a meaningful programme embedded in the system.”

Last year, within Phase I, the project introduced dedicated Blue Haven spaces, trained personnel, and a structured Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MH/PSS) programme.  Phase II moves from isolated initiatives to a coordinated, system-wide approach. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is working to integrate MH/PSS into a unified framework across all its agencies, ensuring that support is consistent and accessible.

The project combines Ukrainian experience with international expertise. Partners from the Dutch National Police and the ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre are contributing practical methods adapted to high-stress environments. These include peer support and buddy systems, as well as trauma-focused clinical approaches. Structured models such as 7ROSES are designed to provide immediate support in critical moments, while longer-term care helps officers to process their experiences.

EUAM Ukraine is also equipping Ukrainian psychologists with practical tools to support their work in the field, ensuring that assistance can be provided where it is most needed. During the roundtable, the Mission presented part of this support, including backpacks containing essential items such as first aid kits, reflective vests, thermoses, flashlights, thermal blankets, sleeping mats, tablets and portable power banks.

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