A project to support the mental health of lawyers is launched

The Ukrainian National Bar Association, with the support of the International Bar Association (IBA), is launching a new project «Supporting the mental health of Ukrainian lawyers in time of war».
Valentyn Gvozdiy Vice president of the UNBA, BCU, spoke about the project format and target groups at a meeting of the Bar Council of Ukraine.
He said that due to the military aggression, many lawyers today suffer from exhaustion, devastation, fatigue, anxiety, panic, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Vulnerable groups such as women, young people and colleagues in the areas of active hostilities need urgent support.
For example, many women lawyers have taken on additional responsibilities for caring for their children while continuing to practice law because their partners are serving in the army. Young professionals are unsure of their future in law and do not know how to build a career in the current environment. And lawyers who have faced the direct consequences of the war are trying to find a balance between safety and professional responsibilities.
The main components of the project will be individual therapy sessions (lawyers will receive certificates) and psychoeducational events (online webinars) on mental health issues (lawyers will be taught methods of mental health management and resilience building).
It is also planned to introduce a digital platform with round-the-clock access to an online library of psychology books for lawyers related to mental health, work-life balance, and career development in difficult times.
In the near future, the UNBA website will publish full information for advocates who wish to participate in this project.
Popular news

Advocacy
The BCU defended 36 lawyers accused by the TCC of disrupting mobilization
The actions of the lawyers described in the appeal of the Bucha District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support as unlawful offenses are in fact the exercise of legal powers related to the provision of professional legal assistance to clients - citizens of Ukraine who are liable for military service.

Advocacy
Parliamentary instruments should not be used for private interests - statement of crime
Law enforcement agencies should assess whether an MP is using the parliamentary research tool in private interests. Involvement of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada in tasks not provided for in its Regulations has signs of corruption.

Advocacy
Advocates and forensic experts join forces: plans for cooperation discussed
At the National Scientific Center «Bokarius Institute of Forensic Expertise» of the Ministry of Justice, a working meeting was held between the management of this expert institution and Lidiya Izovitova, the President of the National Bar Association of Ukraine, the Bar Council of Ukraine.

Advocacy
The Constitution is the same in TCCs and outside them, - the Secretary of the BCU on the rules for lawyers
The Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are working to eliminate shortcomings in the work of territorial recruitment and social support centers. In particular, they want to create rules for lawyers who defend people liable for military service.

Advocacy
5 more advocates received financial support from the UNBA Board of Trustees
On January 28, 2025, the UNBA Board of Trustees held its first meeting of the year. The Board considered 8 applications from advocates who found themselves in difficult life circumstances due to the war.

Advocacy
Mental health support for lawyers will be put on a platform
The project to support the mental health of Ukrainian lawyers during the war, implemented by the Ukrainian National Bar Association with the support of the International Bar Association (IBA), will get its own electronic platform.

Advocacy
Legal aid during mobilization: TCC sees no problems
The military authorities claim that the training center or distribution center is not a place of detention. There is normal (taking into account the regime) access, including for lawyers. But practice shows the opposite.

Advocacy
Beating of a lawyer in Kharkiv: what is known about the incident in the premises of the MME
When the lawyer began to record violations of her client's rights in the premises of the military medical commission, the defender was pushed out of the room by physical force and her belongings were thrown away. The Verkhovna Rada became interested in the incident, and the Ombudsman took the case under his personal control.
Publications

Ihor Kolesnykov A BRIEF SUMMARY REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDER ON EXTENDED CONFISCATION IN LATVIA REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSETS OF…

Valentyn Gvozdiy WORKING IN A WAR ZONE

Lydia Izovitova Formula of perfection

Sergiy Vylkov Our judicial system is so built that courts do not trust advocates

Iryna Vasylyk Advocacy in the proclamation of Independence of Ukraine

Oleksandr DULSKY When we cross the border of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, we get into another department of the National Anti-Corruption…

Vadym Krasnyk The UNBA will work, and all obstacles and restrictions are only temporary inconveniences

Lydia Izovitova Interview with Lydia Izovitova on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the founding of UNBA: We are the voice of t…