Just a call away: Psychosocial support for those affected by the war

For many people fleeing the war in Ukraine, finding refuge has not marked the end of their suffering, but merely the beginning of a new struggle: with their trauma.

In this context, the REthink Centre for Counselling and Personal Development, a partner to our team at People in Need Moldova, provides a less visible but equally essential form of support—psychosocial services.

REthink specialists offer free psychosocial counselling to anyone struggling with the emotional impact of the war—refugees and host community members alike. Services are available across the Republic of Moldova, including in the Transnistrian region.

In addition to face-to-face support, REthink provides phone and online counselling, which is vital to people living remotely. This ensures that a person living within Chișinău can receive support just as easily as someone without. Through the PLACE II consortium, the Green Line— Rethink’s support helpline—has assisted around 460 people. 

Approximately 60 have benefited from repeated one-to-one sessions on online. Additionally, 86 participants have taken part in recreational and psychosocial group activities such as board games and art therapy, designed to promote emotional healing, creative expression, relaxation, and community bonding.

These sessions are also organised on the left bank of the Nistru River, in cities like Tiraspol and Bender, bringing refugees and host communities closer together.

Most callers come from Ukraine

Since REthink began its collaboration with us, more than 3,000 people have received psychosocial support through the Green Line, and over 720 people have attended individual counselling sessions: personalised assistance for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other psychosocial challenges. Approximately 80 % of all callers are refugees from Ukraine. 

Each call represents a story of suffering, but also one of resilience. For those who have lost everything, a calm voice on the other end of the line can be the first step toward recovery.

Although REthink primarily serves local residents and refugees in Moldova, its flexible counselling model allows specialists to support people who have moved away, regardless of if they returned to Ukraine or resettled in other countries. Changing one’s location does not make emotional struggles disappear. For many refugees, continuity of psychological support is vital, especially when opening up to a new specialist can feel overwhelming.

Natalia’s story: From longing and grief to hope

Sometimes, calls for help come not only from the farthest parts of the country, but from abroad. Such was the case with Natalia, a young mother from Odesa who contacted REthink from Romania.

Natalia left Ukraine in the spring of 2022, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. After spending time in Moldova, she moved on to Bucharest, to try to build a new life.

Isolation, a lack of support, and the language barrier became increasingly overwhelming. A few months ago, Natalia gave birth. What should have been a time of joy was overshadowed by postnatal depression and, later, by the sudden death of her mother, who had travelled from Ukraine and passed away shortly after.

The specialists from the Romanian Midwives Association, who were assisting her, quickly realised she needed psychosocial support. They began searching for a Ukrainian- or Russian-speaking psychologist, but after several unsuccessful attempts, they found help... in Moldova.

Her case was taken over by Laura Marta, a psychologist from REthink. Their first session took place over the phone, but a fortunate coincidence brought them even closer: Laura happened to be in Bucharest for professional training.

Natalia confirms:

When Laura returned to Chișinău, she maintained her connection with Natalia, and long-distance sessions remain a constant source of support.

Laura’s intervention highlights the importance of flexible counselling formats:

If you need psychosocial support, you can contact REthink’s 24/7 Green Line at 0 800 700 85. More information about REthink is available at www.rethink.center, where you can also schedule an online counselling session.

REthink’s work is part of PLACE II, a consortium funded by the European Union. PLACE II comprises People in Need, Acted, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), INTERSOS, and REACH (IMPACT Initiatives), and aims to provide protection and multisectoral assistance to Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable communities in the Republic of Moldova.