Mental health as a challenge and an opportunity: the story of a doctor who changes the approach to patients

Mental health is an important part of overall well-being that cannot be ignored. Kateryna Poshtaruk, a family doctor from Kyiv, uses a holistic approach to help patients maintain or restore their health. For many people, she is the first to raise the challenging topic of mental health and help them find answers to difficult questions. Her mission is not only to treat physical ailments, but also to take care of the mental state of patients by supporting them.

“We are increasingly realizing that many physical complaints of patients have a psychological basis. Previously, this was often ignored, but now we pay more attention to these issues. If a family doctor understands the importance of mental health and knows how to talk about it, patients also become more open to such conversations. This allows us to timely identify problems and provide help,” explains the doctor.

‍

Family doctor as a first contact specialist

Family doctors are often the first to notice signs of stress, emotional exhaustion, or anxiety disorders in patients. The role of primary health care in the timely detection of such manifestations and the provision of support is key.

“It is important for us that patients understand that mental health can and should be discussed. If I, as a doctor, demonstrate that it is normal and important, the patient trusts me more and is ready to seek help from a psychologist or psychiatrist. This is a big step forward in the fight against stigmatization,” says Kateryna.

‍

‍

Education and development: the basis of quality care

Kateryna works hard on her own professional development and trains her colleagues. She believes that quality care begins with the education of doctors and medical staff.

“There are many training opportunities available now. For example, WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) provides practical tools for working with patients. We learn how to talk about difficult topics, how to build a dialogue, and how to help. This knowledge is invaluable, as it allows doctors to become more confident in their work and better understand the needs of patients,” says Kateryna.

‍

Mainstreaming mental health

The war has exacerbated mental health issues for both patients and medical professionals. Kateryna and her colleagues conduct training sessions to educate people how to cope with emotional stress and support others.

“After the war began, we realized that we could no longer ignore mental health issues. We organized training, invited speakers, and started gaining new skills. When you understand how to help yourself, you can pass that knowledge on to your patients. This is something everyone needs now,” says the doctor.

One of the biggest problems, according to Kateryna, is coordination between different levels of medical care. The lack of clear interaction between primary care and specialized services complicates the treatment process.

“We can recognize a problem and refer a patient to a mental health professional, but we are not always sure that they will receive quality care. It requires systematic work to ensure that every patient has a clear route and access to the necessary services,” emphasizes Kateryna.

‍

Caring for doctors: the basis of quality care

Kateryna is convinced that caring for the mental health of medical professionals is just as important as working with patients.

“Doctors and nurses also need support. We deal with difficult stories and work in stressful conditions. To maintain the resilience of healthcare workers, it is important to provide them with psychological support so that they can continue to help others.”