Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

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Unfortunately, there’s lots of conflict in Ukraine resulting in people fleeing to create a better life. Not being socially included in their country, and having to leave can make the transition harder, leading to mental health concerns.

Discrimination in Ukraine links to gender inequality with men and women earning different amounts leading to health impacts with the inability to afford proper care. People fleeing persecution are more likely to have experienced significant human rights violations, torture and trauma, which impacts their mental health and wellbeing (Sydney, 2024). Non-discrimination against refugees improves health outcomes with equal and fair treatment and opportunities to access healthcare.

References:

Brandt, L., Liu, S., Heim, C., & Heinz, A. (2022). The effects of social isolation stress and discrimination on mental health. Translational Psychiatry, 12(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02178-4

Sydney. (2024, August 13). Refugees in Australia are miles behind in health and wellbeing. Uts.edu.au. https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2024/08/refugees-australia-are-miles-behind-health-and-wellbeing

World Health Organization. (2025). Social determinants of health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

Many Ukrainians may fear that a mental illness diagnosis will lead to them becoming ostracized, and that it would make them unfavourable candidates for potential employers (Weissbecker at al., 2018) (Ukrainian - EthnoMed, 2023).  

Stigma is a major barrier for Ukrainians that may prevent them from seeking care for their mental health issues (Ukrainian - EthnoMed, 2023). It’s a health belief that mental health problems such as depression or PTSD, especially since the war in 2022, can be seen as a sign of weakness.

In this culture, the use of home-made traditional remedies to help cure illness is prominent. This is a strong belief but has also been reinforced recently as the cost and access to health services has become more difficult with violence and financial constraints in Ukraine.

References:

COMMUNICATION Languages and Dialects. (n.d.). https://sntc.medicine.ufl.edu/Content/Products/Downloads/0Ukraine%20CQRG.pdf

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Ukrainian - EthnoMed. (2023). EthnoMed. https://ethnomed.org/culture/ukrainian/#health-beliefs

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Refugees coming to Australia from Ukraine very commonly present with risk factors for Hepatitis C (HCV) due to Ukraine having a seroprevalence for HCV of 4%, (Hepatitis C» Australian Refugee Health, n.d.) It is important to test those with refugee-like background, such as those coming from Ukraine, for HCV as if undiagnosed and unmanaged, it can cause advanced liver disease and/or liver cancer (Hepatitis C» Australian Refugee Health, n.d.)

An evidence-based treatment option for Hepatitis C is 12 weeks of all-oral combination therapy, with a few adverse effects and a more than 90% chance of cure (Hepatitis C» Australian Refugee Health, n.d.) This treatment will improve the health of those infected.

References:

Hepatitis C» Australian Refugee Health. (n.d.). https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/hepatitis-c/

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Ray, M. (2023, March 12). Russia-Ukraine War. Britannica; Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/2022-Russian-invasion-of-Ukraine

Refugee Council of Australia. (2025, February 24). Learning from Australia’s Response to War in Ukraine. Refugee Council of Australia. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/learning-australias-response-ukraine/

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Ukraine - Languages. (2019). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine/Languages

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