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    • EU Extends Protection for Ukrainian Refugees – New Initiative Launched in Sweden to Strengthen Mental Health and Integration

    EU Extends Protection for Ukrainian Refugees – New Initiative Launched in Sweden to Strengthen Mental Health and Integration

    On 13 June 2025, the EU announced the extension of temporary protection for over four million Ukrainian refugees until 4 March 2027. This decision reflects the continued need for long-term support and initiatives that promote refugee well-being, resilience, and the ability to participate actively in society. In direct connection to this, a new initiative is now being launched in Sweden: Facilitating Refugee Integration through Dedicated Mental Health Support (FRID).

    FRID is an international project focused on promoting mental health among Ukrainian refugees in Sweden as a foundation for sustainable integration. It was officially launched on 15 May 2025 with a kick-off event in Gothenburg, where representatives from Help Ukraine Gothenburg (HUG), MIELI Mental Health Finland, and Reach for Change (RfC) participated. The kick-off marked the beginning of an inspiring collaboration aimed at creating safe spaces and supportive structures for Ukrainian refugees to care for their mental well-being.

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    Responding to Urgent Needs

    The project, funded by the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation, is a community-driven initiative running for 18 months (from 10 May 2025 to 10 October 2026). The need for FRID is urgent, as a recent survey in Gothenburg showed that 70% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, while half expressed feelings of loneliness. Despite this growing need, access to mental health services remains severely limited for Ukrainian refugees due to language barriers, unfamiliar systems, and cultural differences.

    A Peer-Based Approach

    At the core of FRID is the TOIVO model, developed by MIELI in Finland. This peer support method has proven effective in building trust and resilience among migrant groups. FRID is now bringing this model to Sweden through group sessions led by trained peer supporters – individuals with lived experience who help participants support one another.

    FRID follows a participant-centered approach based on the build-measure-learn principle, continuously shaped by the experiences and voices of those involved. This ensures that the project remains responsive, relevant, and deeply rooted in the realities of the Ukrainian community in Sweden.

    The project also creates opportunities for mutual learning between Sweden and Finland, with shared insights and experiences across borders. Regular workshops and close cooperation between partners drive the process forward.

    FRID aims to achieve lasting change by:

    • Improving access to peer-based and culturally adapted mental health support for Ukrainian refugees in Sweden

    • Strengthening local capacity to develop and scale socially innovative methods for integration and well-being

    For more information, please contact:

    Mariya Melnyk, Project Manager, Help Ukraine Gothenburg, [email protected]
    Yehor Suslenko, Communications Officer, Help Ukraine Gothenburg, [email protected]
    Jane-Ange Musekura, Project Manager, Reach for Change, [email protected]
    Melis Ari-Gurhanli, Project Manager, MIELI Mental Health Finland, [email protected]

     

    Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Social Fund authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.