Ukraine takes first steps towards establishing a national mental health system.
Ukraine’s Government announces the process for the creation of a National Health Commission
29.05.2026
Article published on the moz.gov.ua website
Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has confirmed the procedure for selecting members of a new National Mental Health Commission, which is the first step towards the establishment of a national mental health system.
The Government has approved the process to select members to sit on the Commission, its composition, choosing a selection panel, the qualifications required from each candidate and the criteria for assessing applications. This will ensure transparency in the way specialists are recruited and the professionalism of the future Commission.
“The establishment of a National Health Commission will be a major development in the creation of a mental healthcare system. We are working systematically to provide high-quality services that are accessible to every Ukrainian citizen. An open recruitment process will enable us to attract the best specialists, who will contribute to the development of a modern and effective mental healthcare system”, said Ukraine’s Health Minister, Viktor Lyashko.
The Commission will be a dedicated collegial body operating under the aegis of the Cabinet of Ministers. Its main objective is to coordinate decisions on mental health issues, promote the integration of related services into various areas of public life, and formulate a holistic national mental health policy.
It will consist of 24 members, twelve of whom will be permanent appointees and selected through a rigorous competitive process: four members from both self-regulatory organisations in the mental health sector and mental health provider associations, together with four mental health specialists.
The initial composition of the Commission will include 12 members from mental health provider associations and mental health specialists, based on the principle of equal representation. Twelve will be appointed to the Commission by central executive agencies. The term of office for members will be four years.
Candidates must meet certain requirements, including having Ukrainian citizenship, a relevant higher education qualification, a minimum of seven years’ professional experience, be mental health professionals and have a proficiency in one of the Council of Europe’s official languages.
Permanent and ad hoc committees will be established under the National Commission to work on key areas. They will deal with issues related to the certification of mental health professionals, the work of psychotherapists, continuous professional development, discussing complaints and appeals from service users, as well as monitoring members’ professional conduct. A service users’ council may also be established if necessary to take account of people’s experiences and views in the decision-making process.
The Commission is being established within the framework of implementing the Mental Health Care law, which was adopted by Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada last year. Its principal aim is to build a modern, effective and coordinated mental health support system that meets European norms and standards.
