Vitalii Klymchuk
Postdoctoral researcher, University of Luxembourg; Mental Health Expert, UNICEF; Mental Health Expert, PACT Ukraine
Postgraduate Diploma Global Mental Health 2023
Vitalii is a researcher at the University of Luxembourg where he is part of the U-RISE Project, which focuses on the mental health of Ukraine's displaced people in the EU. He is also a Mental Health Expert in the EU-PROMENS, a new EU-funded project aimed at implementing a comprehensive approach to capacity building in mental health in the EU.
Additionally, Vitalii works as a Mental Health Consultant for UNICEF, delivering global MHPSS training (Eastern European and Central Asia countries) and supporting countries in implementing the Mental Health module in the MICS Survey (Kazakhstan). Previously, he served as an international consultant for UNDP in Turkmenistan, where he developed a new training model to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into the country’s peacebuilding initiatives and prevention of violent extremism.
However, as a Ukrainian, Vitalii most of all cares for his country. Supporting its move toward human rights and community-based mental healthcare. Vitalii was involved in developing the Ukranian National Mental Health Strategy 2030 and the National Action Plans and legislative changes. Being an expert for the Ministry of Health, he advocated for the integration of mental health care into primary health care. Right now, there is a discussion of national funding for outpatient community-based mental health centres based on his ideas.
Additionally, Vitalii worked as the Coordinator for Mental Health Services Development at the MH4U Project and supported the development of services in the East of Ukraine. Through volunteering Vitalii supported war veterans in Ukraine, professionals after the earthquake in Albania, and psychologists after social disturbances in Kazakhstan and Belarus. Vitalii also established the Global Mental Health Club, a community of professionals worldwide who dream of transforming mental health services in their countries.
