Introduction: The ongoing war in Ukraine has triggered a large-scale humanitarian crisis, significantly affecting the mental health and psychosocial well-being of the population. In this context, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) has become a vital component of humanitarian response, requiring coordinated and integrated systems aligned with global standards, such as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) framework. Purpose: This research explores how MHPSS coordination mechanisms operate in wartime Ukraine, identifies key actors and systemic barriers, and evaluates the impact of coordinated approaches on access, resilience, and psychosocial well-being. Approach: The study employs a desk-based narrative synthesis methodology, drawing on peer-reviewed literature, humanitarian reports, and policy documents, including the Ukrainian government’s Concept for the Development of Mental Health Care until 2030. Analytical lenses include the IASC MHPSS intervention pyramid and localization theory. The study also proposes visual tools to analyze coordination structures and service delivery pathways. Results: The study finds that Ukraine’s MHPSS coordination system demonstrates notable adaptability and well-developed structures. Core activities such as 4W mapping, non-specialist training programs, and policy alignment initiatives have expanded access, particularly to community-based care. However, challenges including stigma, provider burnout, insufficient funding, and limited rural access continue to constrain effectiveness. Innovative strategies like telehealth platforms and mobile clinics reflect adaptive resilience. Overlapping mandates and data fragmentation further complicate service alignment. Nonetheless, coordinated efforts have reached over 1.2 million individuals in 2023, with early evidence suggesting reductions in psychological distress among internally displaced populations. These findings underscore the critical role of context-sensitive, decentralized approaches in building sustainable MHPSS systems in conflict-affected settings. Conclusions: Ukraine’s MHPSS coordination system demonstrates adaptability and effectiveness in crisis settings, but enduring structural challenges remain. Future priorities should include strengthening local leadership, ensuring long-term financing, and integrating services to ensure sustainable support in crisis contexts.

Introduction: Emotional regulation and its relationship with subjective well-being are relevant phenomena to study, especially during adolescence, a critical period marked by significant changes in mental health and social development. These antecedents underscore the importance of studying how emotional regulation can act as a protective factor for adolescents' subjective well-being. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the impact of emotional regulation on adolescents' subjective well-being. Methodology: The search was conducted following the PRISMA methodology in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Scielo databases, and the methodological quality was also assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria, highlighting that adaptive emotional regulation strategies, particularly cognitive reappraisal and acceptance, are consistently associated with higher levels of life satisfaction, happiness, and self-esteem. Moreover, these strategies act as protective factors against depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. Studies employing longitudinal designs suggest that emotional regulation fosters resilience and improves adolescents' long-term well-being. Conversely, maladaptive strategies such as rumination and suppression were linked to lower subjective well-being and increased psychological distress. Conclusions: The findings underscore the critical role of emotional regulation in fostering adolescent well-being. Specifically, interventions that promote cognitive reappraisal and acceptance may enhance psychological resilience and overall life satisfaction. Future research should explore the long-term effects of emotional regulation training and its integration into educational and clinical settings to support adolescent mental health

?introduction: The discrimination and dehumanization faced by transgender people is particularly intense, both at the societal level and in health services. Purpose: To examine nursing students' attitudes toward transgender individuals and to explore the role of empathy, demographic characteristics, and personality traits in shaping these attitudes. Additionally, to weigh and culturally adapt the Genderism and Transphobia Scale. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of two Universities, in Nursing Departments, with data collection via an anonymous questionnaire that included demographics, the Genderism and Transphobia Scale, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, the Toronto Empathy Scale, and other tools to assess dehumanization. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inductive statistics, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results showed that the absence of empathy is associated with higher levels of prejudice and dehumanization. Mean values ??for the Transphobia/Genderism category were higher for males (75,831, SD = 36,337) compared to females (51,641, SD = 26,560) and for non-binary individuals (32,000, SD = 5,715), with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). Empathy (TEQ) had a negative correlation with dehumanization (r = -0.415, p < 0.001) and transphobia (r = -0.480, p < 0.001). Openness to Experience was negatively correlated with transphobia (r = -0.337, p < 0.001). Linear regression models showed that empathy (? = -3.045, p < 0.001) and Openness to Experience (? = -4.070, p < 0.001) explain 34% of the variability in Transphobia/Genderism (R² = 34%). Conclusions: Enhancing empathy and incorporating inclusive education into nursing curricula can help reduce dehumanization and prejudice against transgender people

Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal is an open access peer-reviewed journal, whose main aim is to promote dialogue and debate on topics such as Mental Health, Mental Health Care Systems, international studies on MHC systems in the context of global social challenges. The Journal was originally founded for publication of the materials from the International Conference on Mental Health Care “Mental Health: global challenges of XXI century”. The journal especially encourages manuscripts which may be of interest to policy makers and/or practitioners.

Introduction: Medication adherence is one of the most important factors in the effectiveness of treatment, especially for patients with chronic diseases. This study aims to assess the adherence of patients with chronic diseases and investigate the parameters that influence it. It will also examine the psychometric properties of the SMAQ scale, a tool used to assess adherence. Purpose: The study's main purpose was to assess the psychometric properties of the SMAQ scale, including its reliability and validity, to evaluate the adherence of patients with medication and to analyse the factors that shape it, focusing on the influence of gender, diagnosis, level of education, marital status, and living conditions. Methodology: The study was based on a sample of patients with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient's compliance with medication was assessed using the SMAQ scale. Statistical analysis included chi-square analysis to examine the association between participant characteristics and compliance, while logistic regression analysis was also performed to assess the parameters that predict non-compliance. Results: The chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between compliance and parameters such as gender, type of disease, level of education, and marital status. Men and patients with cardiovascular diseases showed better compliance. Logistic regression indicates that diagnosis is the most important factor in predicting non-compliance. Regarding the psychometric properties of the SMAQ, the scale showed satisfactory reliability with Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.717 and stability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.525). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale, with good fit values ??(CFI, TLI, GFI > 0.9). Conclusions: The results of the study provide valuable data on the factors that influence the compliance of patients with chronic diseases. The diagnosis appears to be the most important predictor of non-compliance, while the evaluation of the SMAQ scale indicates that it is a reliable and valid tool for measuring compliance. The study highlights the need for strategies that will improve compliance, especially for patients with chronic diseases who may face psychological and social challenges. Limitations of the study include the sample size and the absence of data on other psychological parameters, such as mental health, which should be addressed in future research

Introduction. The integration of virtual reality technologies into PTSD treatment in Ukraine presents new opportunities for enhancing the mental health of military personnel, veterans, and individuals affected by war-related trauma. During military operations, soldiers often experience intense stress, anxiety, and intrusive memories, which can lead to PTSD. VR therapy uses fully and partially immersive technologies to create a safe virtual environment where patients can explore and process traumatic experiences under the guidance of a qualified specialist. The use of VR technologies for PTSD treatment during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may become a crucial tool for addressing and healing trauma in both military personnel and civilians. This method provides a structured setting that fosters emotional processing and therapeutic engagement, aiming to alleviate psychological burdens and improve mental health outcomes. Purpose: To conduct a cross-cultural adaptation of the physiologically facilitated Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) protocol with gradually increasing exposure, develop a Ukrainian version of the protocol tailored to the specific needs of Ukrainian PTSD patients, create VR technology and content that reflect the unique aspects of the Ukrainian war experience, and pilot test this protocol with a focus group of Ukrainian war veterans diagnosed with PTSD and carrying war-related traumatic memories. Methodology: For the cross-cultural adaptation of the Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) protocol, a physiologically facilitated version with gradually increasing exposure was selected. This protocol was translated by two independent translators, followed by synthesis into a single version, back-translation, analysis, and final approval by a working group. The finalized Ukrainian version was prepared for field studies with a focus group of Ukrainian war veterans (n=50). All veterans underwent diagnostic assessments both before and after the VRET intervention, using the following standardized scales: the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) for PTSD evaluation, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale for anxiety disorders, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) for suicidal intentions, the Short Form Survey (SF-36) for quality of life, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for alcohol dependence. A series of VR scenarios were developed specifically to address the needs of Ukrainian war PTSD patients, designed to trigger common PTSD responses. A unique administrative panel was also created for therapists to adjust the presence and intensity of various triggers in real time, allowing for personalized tuning of the VR experience throughout the session. Results: Over a 6-month period, 50 Ukrainian war veterans participated in the study to assess the effectiveness of the adapted Ukrainian version of the VRET protocol for PTSD treatment. Comparison of baseline and post-intervention assessments showed significant improvements in clinical outcomes, including reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and an overall improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: The cross-cultural adaptation and testing of the Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy protocol with a focus group of Ukrainian veterans with PTSD demonstrated reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression, alongside improvements in quality of life. Virtual reality allowed veterans to safely re-experience traumatic events under professional supervision, with gradually increased realism, enhancing the therapy's effectiveness. This method also reduces stigma by offering a confidential setting for therapist interaction, showing substantial promise in helping veterans manage their mental health more effectively

Introduction: The crisis in Ukraine, related to military actions, poses a significant threat to the mental health of preschool children due to their vulnerability, limited self-awareness, and perception of their surroundings, as well as the critical developmental phase characterized by the establishment of foundational personality structures. Chronic stress and trauma can disrupt normal brain development, potentially leading to delays in cognitive and emotional development in the long term. Therefore, it is essential to systematically identify and analyze the negative factors affecting the mental development of preschool children across key domains, contributing to educational deficits and developmental gaps, and to design targeted interventions to solve those emerging issues. Purpose: The study is focused on the development and implementation of strategies for supporting, preserving, and enhancing the mental well-being of preschool children residing in areas proximate to armed conflict. The research underscores the importance of early and systematic monitoring across various levels (including children, families, educators, professional associations, and early childhood education institutions, including those with alternative forms of preschool education designed to accommodate crisis conditions). Methodology: Multilevel monitoring has encompassed 3,843 children situated in conditions detrimental to their mental health and development across seven frontline regions of Ukraine (Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv). This initiative is a part of a project by "All-Ukrainian Public Organization 'Association of Early Childhood Education Professionals'", with informational support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations (UNICEF) project "Improving Access to Early Childhood Education Services in Emergencies and Early Recovery in Ukraine." Level 1 - initial, intermediate, and summative monitoring involved establishing the baseline developmental level of senior preschool children and identifying gaps across key areas, with subsequent measurement of progress and its correlation with interventions aimed at supporting and maintaining children’s mental health. Measurement of indicators was expressed through their manifestation at the minimum and maximum points for each child, with the establishment of an average score (average score = sum of all individual scores divided by the number of children). The average score reflects the overall performance between the lowest and highest indicators across children, educators, regions, and nationally. This analysis was conducted using a web-based spreadsheet program, Google Sheets, which is part of the Google Drive office suite." Level 2 - organizational and methodological monitoring focused on evaluating the methodological and organizational aspects of the educational process as fundamental factors in preventing negative impacts on children’s mental health. This was conducted using an electronic form developed in Google Forms, utilizing the Google Sheets web-based spreadsheet program, which is part of the Google Drive office suite. Level 3 - monitoring the quality of the educational process in early childhood education institutions using the ECERS-3 methodology, which allows for the analysis of comfort levels, developmental conditions, safety, and support for the mental health of preschool children. This involves an electronic Google Form equivalent to the paper-based ECERS-3 assessment; automatic calculations are performed according to the formulas specified by the international ECERS-3 methodology (Harms et al., 2020). Results: The study of the development of senior preschool children, based on the analysis of key domains through regular psychological and pedagogical observations and the use of diagnostic tools over a period of five months, enabled the identification of early signs of stress, anxiety, and other emotional manifestations. This assessment facilitated the evaluation of children's mental health and the development of a system of effective interventions to address the identified issues. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of identifying personal characteristics of senior preschool children and developmental gaps across key domains to organize interventions and support measures aimed at preserving mental health, ensuring comprehensive development, and mitigating negative factors in crisis conditions. The results of the multilevel monitoring are valuable for updating educational practices and adapting them to crisis situations. Addressing the identified educational losses and gaps, including those related to social-emotional development and stress resilience, allows for the development of structured programs to counteract negative impacts and facilitate the recovery of preschool children

Introduction: Our world has changed over the last decades, and one of the dramatic changes has been the increase in human life expectancy. Due to important life-saving breakthroughs, the current life expectancy for the world in 2024 is 73.33 years; and female global life expectancy is 76.0 years. This trend manifests one of the greatest achievements of human society, which, however, reveals issues that humanity has yet to address. One of them is the place and role of women over 40 in modern society. Purpose: This paper aims to unveil gendered ageism and to identify its negative impact on women’s mental health. Methodology: We conducted a systematic search in the main electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Relevant studies were identified using search terms: women over 40, aging, gendered ageism, mental health, wellbeing, beauty standards, youthfulness, age stereotypes, multiple discrimination, inequity, identity, sexuality, social exclusion, intersectionality. The authors used phenomenological philosophical, hermeneutic, and inductive approaches, as well as the interpretive research paradigm. Review and Discussion: Constant anxiety about aging, attempts to turn back time, desperate cosmetic battles that women are involved in are far from just a tribute to fashion or female vanity, but also an attempt to come out of the shadows, to overcome the boundaries of female limited space, and to make a woman visible. However, women’s grand entrance onto the big stage faces gendered ageism that forces women over 40 feel excluded in society and life by making them invisible. Despite certain changes in public consciousness over the role of women in society, we still live in a men’s world. The centuries-old subordination of women to men, cultural ideas about the “perfect” female face, body, age, weight, compliance with which is a “pass” to the world of success, or, according to evolutionary psychologists, a “mechanism” that promotes survival, crystallize in various disorders, thereby undermining women’s mental health, downplaying the value of wisdom, knowledge and life experience, and eroding women’s self-esteem. Conclusion: Aging is a natural and inevitable process, and old age is a significant part of life, which can be filled with joy, achievements of small and big goals, dissemination of accumulated experience and wisdom. Unfortunately, these wonderful aspirations are hindered by ageism – one of the last socially acceptable prejudices. Inducing age stereotypes and perpetuating internalized ageism, our social environment maintains discrimination of women over 40 in workplace, social settings, and private sphere that has detrimental consequences for women’s mental and physical health. Therefore, combating ageism and sexism and eliminating age discrimination is essential to support older women’s health and wellbeing. Both women and men share the responsibility to progress towards true equity that will help women around the world achieve success on their own terms and reach their full potential. Life journey of every woman is a way of self-discovery and self-development, in which the various aspects of a woman’s personality come together to create unique integrity of body, mind, and spirit. To fully realize the potential of half of humanity, it is necessary to dismantle the systems that maintain inequities, as well as to raise up and empower women of all ages, colors, abilities to assert themselves and be respected in both public and private spheres, to accept reality and move on, to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, to do wonders for everyone on our planet, and to know that every woman matters.

Introduction: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has placed significant mental and physical health burdens on military personnel, including both elite combat troops and injured servicemen in rehabilitation. Understanding the factors that influence their health outcomes is crucial for developing effective support and intervention strategies. Purpose: This study aims to analyse the relationships between negative indicators of mental and physical health (PTSD symptoms and somatic complaints) and personal characteristics (resilience, self-efficacy, and Big Five personality traits) in two distinct samples of military personnel: elite combat troops and injured servicemen in rehabilitation. By comparing these groups, the study seeks to understand how personal characteristics influence health outcomes and whether the impact differs based on the context of military service. Methodology: The study involved 180 Ukrainian military personnel (all men) divided into two groups: 149 elite combat troops and 31 injured combatants in rehabilitation. Participants completed self-report measures assessing PTSD symptoms, physical complaints, resilience, self-efficacy, and personality traits. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, ranges, skewness, and kurtosis) were computed, and independent samples t-tests and Cohen’s d were calculated to determine differences between the groups. Pearson's bivariate correlations and Z-tests were conducted to examine relationships between health indicators and personal characteristics. Multiple linear regression analysis (using the forward method) was performed to construct prognostic models for mental and physical health outcomes. Results: Injured combatants exhibited significantly higher levels of PTSD symptoms, exhaustion, and various physical complaints compared to elite combat troops. In contrast, elite combat troops showed higher levels of resilience, self-efficacy, extraversion, and emotional stability. Regression models highlighted self-efficacy, resilience, and emotional stability as key predictors of reduced PTSD symptoms and physical complaints, with varying predictive values across the two groups. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of personal characteristics in mitigating the negative health impacts of combat exposure within the global mental health landscape. Tailored interventions enhancing resilience, self-efficacy, and emotional stability are crucial, particularly for injured combatants. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and larger samples to further understand the dynamics of these relationships and support the well-being of military personnel on a global scale. By addressing these critical areas, we can develop more effective strategies to support the mental health and recovery of those affected by combat and conflict worldwide.

Introduction: Analyzing numerical data from different countries around the world that have experience of participating in wars and resolving their consequences, it is important to consider the wide range of war effects on all spheres of society. This influence is discussed in the context of economic, political, state-building, demographic, and other spheres. Special attention is given to analyzing the consequences of this impact on individuals returning from war. These consequences are diverse and include physical and psychological problems, job loss, social exclusion, and other challenges that require an integrated approach to effectively address them. Purpose: To analyze the main principles of medical and psychological rehabilitation of combat veterans, having conducted a comprehensive analysis of their links and constituent elements, and to consider possible ways of their implementation. Methodology: We conducted a systematic search in the main electronic medical databases such as: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar until January 2024. We used theoretical methods such as systematic, bibliosemantic and retrospective, comparative analysis and generalization of the publication data of the conducted studies that considered links, components, principles and possible ways of their implementation in the field of medical and psychological rehabilitation of combat veterans. Relevant studies were identified by key words: war or combat veterans, rehabilitation, reintegration, psychoeducation, hub. Results: The research revealed complex challenges in the system of medical and psychological rehabilitation of military veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder, physical injuries, social isolation and limited resources. The analysis identified key principles important to the planning and implementation of rehabilitation programs, including individualization, comprehensiveness, accessibility, and integration. The results highlighted the importance of a systems approach and collaboration between various parties concerned for the effective implementation of the veterans’ rehabilitation system. The study suggests specific ways of the identified principles implementation. Understanding the modality of the medical and psychological rehabilitation system is a key aspect in improving the quality of rehabilitation and providing adequate support to veterans. In order to achieve these goals, a hierarchy of therapeutic goals was created determining the modalities of the medical and psychological rehabilitation system. Conclusion: Effective medical and psychological rehabilitation for combat veterans should be based on the systematic organization of care, recognizing the importance of each component in ensuring coordination, efficiency and quality of services. Establishing clear therapeutic goals forms the basis for comprehensive psychological support, contributing to veterans’ self-esteem, mental health, and social integration, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life.