King’s College London Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Establish Veteran Mental Health Centre of Excellence in Ukraine
Agreement between King’s, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry signals intent to establish a partnership and collaboration.
L-R: Paola Dazzan, Sir Simon Wessely, Robert van Voren, Volodymyr Bugrov, Matthew Hotopf, Ganna Tolstanova, Kseniia Smyrnova, Deirdre McManus & Tetiana DergachA Memorandum of Understanding between King’s College London, Taras Shevchenko National University and Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry (FGIF) was signed on 29 January 2024 at a function held at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.
The goal of the memorandum is to establish a partnership and collaborate in the development of the Veteran Mental Health Centre of Excellence. This comprehensive rehabilitation service and centre will be based at Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv, and will provide mental health services for war veterans and wider society.
IoPPN Executive Dean Professor Matthew Hotopf signed the document with Taras Shevchenko Rector Professor Volodymyr Bugrov and Professor Robert van Voren, FGIF Chief Executive.
Never more than now creating a centre that supports veterans and individuals affected by war in Ukraine is important. We are delighted and honoured to partner with like-minded colleagues at the Taras Shevchenko National University and the Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry to make this a reality. I believe this is an incredible opportunity for stimulating exchanges that will truly enrich our organisations.
Professor Paola Dazzan, Vice Dean International at IoPPN
King’s Vision 2029 sets out an ambition to be part of an international community that serves the world. Crucial to this is to engage and work collaboratively with like-minded institutions across the globe, and engagement with key regional and national stakeholders.
The memorandum signed reflects an opportunity for both universities to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation service to provide mental health services for war veterans and wider society. Key to this will be developing a sound methodology which fits in the Ukrainian socio-cultural and economic context, and is sustainable within the post-war realities and responsive to local needs.
In addition to Professors Bugrov and van Voren, the Ukrainian delegation included: from Taras Shevchenko National University Professor Ganna Tolstanova (Vice-Rector for Research), Professor Kseniia Smyrnova (Vice-Rector for Education – International Affairs) and Professor Olga Rudenko (Associate Professor); Doctor Tetiana Dergach, Chief Psychiatric Advisor, Ministry of Justice; and interpreter Anna Tarasenko.
The IoPPN delegation included Professor Hotopf, Professor Paola Dazzan (Vice Dean International), Professor Sir Simon Wessely (Regius Professor of Psychiatry) and Dr Deirdre McManus, Joint Head of the London NHS Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.