Estonian Refugee Council and Peaasi.ee train twenty specialists, who will lead the support groups of the evidence-based adaptation program created by psychologist Paul Sterk over the next two years. In total, nearly 5,000 refugees who arrived in Estonia will receive support through them.

"Moving to a new country somehow shakes everyone's mental health balance. However, if a person has been forced to leave their home country, this poses exceptionally great challenges to mental well-being. Home, friends-acquaintances, social status must be left behind. However, good mental health is a prerequisite for successful adaptation and integration," said Anu Viltrop, member of the board of Eesti Pagulasab and head of support services. He added that the 'MindSpring' adaptation program in use offers effective evidence-based adaptation support and is primarily aimed at children, young people and parents.

The MindSpring program was developed by psychologist Paul Sterk and is used in Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Great Britain, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Iraq and Afghanistan. As part of the program, refugees who have recently arrived in the country can participate in eight group meetings conducted by two group leaders. One of the group leaders speaks the same language and has the same background as the participants, and the other one is local. The groups will be in the refugees' native language or in a language they speak well.

"Refugees find themselves in a very vulnerable position in the new situation. Being forced to live in another country threatens the mental health and livelihood of children and young people in particular. Parents have an important role in helping the child to adapt to the new environment, and for this they need specific knowledge and skills. Therefore, the adaptation program is aimed at these target groups," explained Marit Kannelmäe-Geerts, Head of Education at Peaasi.ee. Support groups are planned to open in the beginning of the next year, in the places where the majority of refugees live.

“MindSpring” program is sponsored by Estonian Refugee Council.

Estonian Refugee Council is a public interest non-profit organization founded in 2000, whose goal is to stand up for the rights and well-being of refugees in Estonia and abroad. Eesti Pagulasabi is a humanitarian aid organization certified by the European Union. Pagulasabi currently operates as a humanitarian aid provider in 5 countries.

The NGO Peaasjad deals with the improvement of mental health, prevention of problems, early intervention and reduction of stigma in our society. Peaasjad have received the title of 2020 health friend and the president's social work annual award for their activities. At the end of 2020, the MTÜ Peaasjad was recognized with the titles of civil society maker of the year and non-governmental organization of the year.