One million refugees have fled Ukraine since the war began. Amidst the many stories of hope and resilience, there is still the unavoidable trauma of war and its vast mental health implications.
One million refugees have fled Ukraine since the war began. Amidst the many stories of hope and resilience, there is still the unavoidable trauma of war and its vast mental health implications. Psychologist and epidemiologist Dr. Manuel Carballo has pioneered much of our understanding in refugee mental health. As Executive Director of the International Center of Migration, Health and Development in Geneva and consultant to the WHO and the European Center for Disease Control, his interest in refugee mental health isn’t purely theoretical. Carballo was born in a refugee camp and spent his early childhood there. He shares his perspective on what this moment means for the one million Ukrainians who have fled their homeland. The Visible and the Invisible For Ukrainians, the process of becoming refugees has been defined by their resilience in the global media. “As we look at the images of the war in Ukraine, we may be inevitably impressed by what seems to be resilience, strength, and courage. Yet behind every image and video shared on social media, there is a history of profound pain and anguish,” says Carballo. He encourages us to look beyond what’s immediately visible. “The physical injuries of the Ukrainian refugees can be easily seen. We see the wounds, bandages and ambulances,” he adds, “But the mental health aspects of becoming a refugee are less visible and perhaps even more profound.
