Lviv IT Cluster Starts Work on Creating the Mental Health Center for Children and Teenagers

The Mental Health Center for Children and Teenagers is a part of the UNBROKEN Kids project. Its goal is to provide quality medical, psychological, speech therapy, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation services to children affected by the hostilities. The Lviv IT Cluster community joins the creation of the Center and announces the start of renovation work in the premises where the institution will operate.

The total area of the Center will be 420 square meters, including a room for group classes, sensory therapy, six medical rooms, and staff quarters. The cost of the renovation is estimated at about UAH 7,000,000. 

“Lviv IT Cluster strives to improve the quality of life of children and teenagers affected by military aggression and help them return to a healthy and happy life. Establishing the Mental Health Center is an important step in this direction, and we believe that we can make a big difference by working together. I urge other companies to join this important project and contribute to creating the Center,” emphasizes Stepan Veselovskyi, CEO of Lviv IT Cluster.

JustAnswer, Leobit, Romexsoft, and Every Matrix have already joined the project:

“The pandemic has dealt a severe blow to the mental well-being of children around the world. Since then, the war in Ukraine has deprived many children of their childhood. They have witnessed horrors that no one should ever see, and they live in constant fear and uncertainty. We cannot stand by and watch as a generation of young Ukrainians suffers from the effects of violence and fear. That’s why we are proud to join forces with Red Ventures, Stronger Than Ever and the Lviv IT Cluster to build a new Mental Health Center that will provide vital support and care for these children.” adds Andy Kurtzig, CEO of JustAnswer. 

We encourage other Cluster member companies to join the creation of the Mental Health Center for Children and Teenagers. If you are interested in the project, please get in touch with yurii.ohonovskyi@itcluster.lviv.ua.

Psychiatric and psychological studies have shown that war has long-term consequences for children and adolescents. Those who have had direct experience in the war zone are much more likely to suffer from various types of disorders, emphasizes Ivan Myskiv, director of St. Nicholas Hospital:

“The number of children in need of help is increasing every day, as the psychological consequences of the war are long-lasting. Children suffer from anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, dissociative and behavioral disorders and are more prone to alcohol and drug abuse. Therefore, such a Center is essential to provide children and adolescents with quality medical care.”

“The Mental Health Center will operate at St. Nicholas Hospital. This institution has a team of professionals who can bring children back to normal life. The second year of the full-scale invasion shows that not just surgery or physical treatment is essential but also psychological assistance. I am grateful to the community of Lviv IT Cluster, thanks to which the Center will receive its first patients this year,” says Andriy Moskalenko, First Deputy Mayor of Lviv.

The Mental Health Center for Children and Teenagers is scheduled to open in November. Children of military personnel who need help will be treated free of charge.