Through the implementation of the project and the development of the online course Psychological Literacy on Trauma, Grief, and Loss, we set out to accomplish several key objectives. First, we aimed to elevate the psychological literacy of social workers and adult educators assisting refugees from war zones, equipping them with the knowledge needed to effectively respond to their clients' unique needs. In addition, we sought to empower these educators to help refugees build resilience and develop coping strategies for dealing with trauma, grief, and loss. Our objectives included not only supporting refugees’ mental well-being but also mitigating the risk of burnout among professionals in this demanding field. Another critical aim was to strengthen refugees' resilience, expand their social networks, and enhance their potential for integration, fostering their active social and economic participation in EU society. Ultimately, our project aspired to reduce healthcare and social support costs associated with war-induced trauma by creating a more sustainable support system for refugees within the community.
Russia’s war against Ukraine led to a large influx of refugees into the EU, underscoring the need to provide not only material support—such as housing and food—but also crucial mental health assistance. However, providing mental health support proved challenging due to a shortage of trained professionals. Additionally, working with individuals recently arrived from war zones presented difficulties for municipal employees and volunteers lacking a psychological background. To address these needs, this project developed an online course for social workers and adult educators, strengthening their abilities to manage psychological trauma, stress, and grief among refugees. The course fostered coping strategies and resilience by creating safe spaces for sharing experiences. With online education proven effective during the COVID pandemic, this initiative enhanced refugee integration and well-being while supporting the digital transformation of adult education. Empowering educators to support these vulnerable populations is essential to facilitate their successful integration and civic participation within the EU community.