On 10 November, a group of 12 persons from the last psychological support course for Ukrainian State Border Guard Service officials planned for 2023 concluded their psychological support course at the “Dzintari” Unit of the Health and Sports Centre of the Ministry of the Interior.
One of the prerequisites for the successful performance of duties in different situations is the physical and mental health of individuals, and their ability to preserve and maintain it, but in Ukraine, due to the emergency situation, the war and the lack of resources, it is not possible to provide psychological support to officials to restore their emotional balance and their ability to perform their duties.
In response to the request of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the initiative of the State Border Guard Service to support its Ukrainian colleagues, the “Dzintari” Unit of the Health and Sports Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, provided psychological support to 98 officials of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine from 4 June to 10 November 2023, alongside psychological support to Latvian service officials.
During the psychological support course, Ukrainian State Border Guard Service officials participated in tailor-made psychological and sports activities in groups and individually. Participants had the opportunity to learn mindfulness-based self-regulation methods, take part in stress reduction classes with yoga elements, psycho relaxations, meditations to improve sleep quality, creative classes with art therapy methods, to restore psychological resources, as well as to attend individual psychological counselling. The psychological programme was complemented by physical fitness sessions, during which participants had the opportunity to visit the gym, the swimming pool and exercise classes of different intensity under the supervision of sports specialists, as well as to take part in walks, outdoor Nordic walking and cycling.
During the course, the Health and Sports Centre of the Ministry of the Interior also provided meals for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service Officials, the State Agency for Security provided accommodation and the State Border Guard Service provided transport.
Prepared by:
Communication Department of the Ministry of the Interior
kn@iem.gov.lv
