Dr. Vitalii KLYMCHUK

Vitalii Klymchuk is a Postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Childhood and Youth Research of the Department of Social Science, FHSE

Vitalii is conducting research in the areas of global mental health, social determinants of mental health, public mental health policy and service development, mental health epidemiology, focusing on the low- and middle-income countries, conflict- and war-affected population and people in vulnerable situations. At the University of Luxembourg he was part of two projects, exploring mental health and homelessness in Luxembourg (FNR-funded SOHOME Project, PI Celine Dujardin) and mental health needs of Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, Poland and Moldova (EU-funded U-RISE Project). Currently he is exploring the needs and capacities of European countries in implementation of multidisciplinary approach to mental health (the EU-funded EU-PROMENS Project).

Before joining the University of Luxembourg, he studied the impact of conflict on mental health, particularly in Ukraine. His work highlights the psychological consequences of historical traumas, such as the Holodomor, and the ongoing effects of war. Publications like “Decentralisation and community stakeholders’ engagement for better mental health services development in the conflict-affected regions of Ukraine” emphasize the importance of local governance and community involvement in improving mental health services. Additionally, his research on PTSD prevalence among Ukrainian children underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions in conflict zones.

A recurring theme in his work is the stigma surrounding mental health. Studies such as “Mental health stigma in Ukraine: Cross-sectional survey” and “Mental health stigma in Ukraine over time: A cross-sectional study” explored societal attitudes and their evolution. He also examines the social determinants of mental health, focusing on marginalized groups like the Romani population in Ukraine. These studies shed light on the interplay between social exclusion, powerlessness, and mental well-being. He has also been involved in implementing trauma-focused treatments for children and families affected by war.

Vitalii’s research extends beyond Ukraine, offering insights into global mental health practices. His involvement in multi-country studies, such as “Effects of cumulative COVID-19 cases on mental health,” highlights the universal impact of crises on mental health.

His work often intersects with policy advocacy, e.g. “Universal Mental Health Training: Policy Proposal for Ukraine” and “The Commission on mental health in Ukraine: areas for development.” These publications emphasize the need for systemic reforms to improve mental health care and social inclusion.

His research were funded by EU Commission, FNR, Swiss Cooperation Office, Global Fund, Open Society Foundations, International Renaissance Foundation, University of Alberta, Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund and conducted in collaboration with Centre of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Institute of Mental Health of Ukrainian Catholic University, Institute of Social and Political Psychology, National Psychological Association of Ukraine, GFA Consulting Group, Vrije University Amsterdam, University of Verona. He is Academic Editor in the PLOS Mental Health Journal.

• Introduction to Global Mental Health (course is delivered in the University of Luxembourg to MSc students in psychology);
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Children and Families in Emergency (The course was delivered with UNICEF for more than 9 countries, online and offline, and also is taught for the students of the University of Luxembourg (education and social work).
• Mental Health and Homelessness / Mental Health Innovations in Ukraine (course modules, delivered to the students of the University of Luxembourg (psychiatric nursing, social work), within larger courses).
• Multidisciplinary Approach to Mental Health (training course, developed under the frame of the EU-PROMENS Project (EU-funded), for professionals in health, social, education and justice sectors, to be delivered in all EU Member states, Norway, Iceland and Ukraine);

Vitalii Klymchuk involved in two types of outreach activities.

For the general public he participated in three documentaries, featuring the social psychology of manipulations (“Zombie – 2: Brainwashing” with 0,25 mil views) and transgenerational traumas of artificial famine 1933 in Ukraine (“Who we are? Psychoanalysis of Ukrainians” with 1,2 mil views and “Holodomor. Chroniclers”, Episode 4, with 100 000 views). Also, he was involved in advocacy and communication for better mental health policies and community-based services with policy makers. In Ukraine he was involved in developing the National Mental Health Strategy 2030 and the National Action Plans and numerous legislative changes. Being an expert for the Ministry of Health, he advocated the integration of mental health care into Primary Health Care, special financing for mental health service delivery by family doctors and NHS funding for outpatient Community-Based Mental Health Centres. Other directions of work in which he was involved are the Strategy on Support Living for Ukraine, the Mental Health Sensitive School Concept, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

• Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow;
• The World Changing Alumni Award 2025 of the University of Glasgow (UK);
• The Global Campus Collaborative Virtual Visitorship Grant 2022 of the Northwestern University (USA);
• The Krzysztof Skubiszewski Foundation Non-residential Scholarship 2022 (Poland);
• Personal Grant of the President of Ukraine for young scientists 2009 (Ukraine);
• Scholarship of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine 2007 (Ukraine)

Alongside his work at the University, Vitalii serves as short-term Mental Health Expert for UNICEF, UNDP and OSCE projects all over the world. He is as a Member of WHO Technical Advisory Group on Disability and Inclusion (WHO/Europe) and Member of the Membership and Accreditation Committee (Mental Health Europe). He also is a President of the Global Institute for Mental Health Innovations, Networking and Development ASBL (Luxembourg). Before coming to University, he worked with HIAS on implementation of self-help interventions and parenting skills training in Ukraine (2022); with GFA Consulting Group, implementing “Mental Health for Ukraine” project in the area of mental health policy and community-based services development (2019-2023); with Centre of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, coordinating implementation studies on mental health support for people with opioid use disorders and developing online courses (2021-2023). He was a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Social and Political Psychology (2017-2021); Executive Director of the Institute of Mental Health of Ukrainian Catholic University and Professor at the Clinical Psychology Department of Ukrainian Catholic University (2015-2017); Psychotherapist (2009-2014) and Professor of the Department of Social and Applied Psychology of Zhytomyr State University, Ukraine (2001-2014).

He has got his PhD in Developmental and Education Psychology in 2005, in the Zhytomyr State University (Ukraine), ScD in Social Psychology in 2015, in the Institute of Social and Political Psychology (Kyiv, Ukraine), and PGDip in Global Mental Health in the University of Glasgow in 2023 (UK). He is a holder of Certificates in CBT, DMT and Psychodrama Practice (2013), in Public Mental health (2016, Switzerland), Mental health policy and services (2018, Portugal), Mental Health, Human Rights and Recovery (2020, WHO), in Global Mental Health (2021, US).