Supporting mental health in war: Knowledge transfer through ECNP traumatic stress network webinars

On February 24, 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine marked a significant escalation of the armed conflict that began in 2014. In response, Traumatic Stress Network of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) launched the “Hot Topics in Dark Days” Virtual Meetings. This initiative, conducted bimonthly in 2022 and monthly webinars since 2023, aimed to connect mental health practitioners from war-affected communities in Ukraine with international experts. The primary goal was to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills in psycho-trauma management, amidst the challenges of the ongoing war. Between March 11, 2022 and November 30, 2023, the Traumatic Stress Network of the ECNP organized 29 online Zoom sessions under the “Hot Topics in Dark Days” series, addressing the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine. These sessions cumulatively offered over 40 h of interactive content, engaging 29 experts from high-income countries, 2 from an upper-middle-income country, and 28 Ukrainian mental health professionals. The meetings attracted more than 5000 live participants and garnered over 20,000 views of the recorded sessions. The “Hot Topics in Dark Days” Virtual Meetings contributed meaningfully to providing mental health professionals with the tools to understand and contextualize the traumatic events unfolding in Ukraine, fostering a sense of social cohesion and professional solidarity. The thematic analysis of the perspectives shared by key webinar experts provides valuable insights into the recurring themes on psychological and emotional impact of war and coping with prolonged traumatic situations, emphasizing the importance of unity, resilience, community support, and self-care in coping with and recovering from trauma. These meetings also served as a platform for acknowledging the challenges faced by mental health practitioners in conflict zones. The virtual format proved to be instrumental in overcoming the barriers posed by the armed conflict, ensuring accessibility to those unable to travel due to the war. Overall, this case study on the implementation of “Hot Topics in Dark Days” initiative by the Traumatic Stress Network of the ECNP represents a significant step in continuing education within the field of psycho-trauma during ongoing conflicts. It highlights the effectiveness of virtual platforms in facilitating knowledge transfer, fostering resilience, and enhancing professional networks during crises.