On November 25, 2024 Georgia Red Cross Society (GRCS) National Conference - “Challenges and Psychosocial Needs of Helpers in the Context of Conflicts” - took place at Ilia State University, Tbilisi, in the frames of the Who Cares Project. The Who Cares project team in Georgia, and representatives of partner organizations, including IFRC, attended the conference.
During the conference the GRCS project team and project partners shared their experience in connection with Ukraine conflict and Mental Health and Psychosocial needs occurring during conflicts in general, focusing on needs of helpers:
The GRCS psychologists - Nino Siradze and Ana Papava presented the Who Cares project - its results and main findings; partners from Ilia State University - Mariam Dalakishvili and Nino Rcheulishvili - presented results of qualitative research; Mariam Panjikidze from Tbilisi State University shared the review of research and best practices on the topic - Psychological Impact of Armed Conflicts on Helpers; Tea Kvirikashvili (UNHCR) provided information on Support Provided to Ukrainians and Available Services (in Georgia), Sophiko Gogochashvili from Community Development Platform (in cooperation with World Vision), working with Ukrainian youth - presented “People Behind Service: Ukrainian Adolescents Not Wanting to Receive Psychosocial Support”; Elene Japaridze (private practitioner) talked about integration problem among refugees from Ukraine - “Identity of a “betrayer”, as hindering factor in integration process”. At the end, Sophio Khutsishvili, the Who Cares project’ Communication Specialist presented and promoted the Who Cares Social Media Platform.
The presentations were followed by in-depth discussions around the topics from the side of the attendants.