Over 10 thousand calls in the second quarter to the Psychological Support Line for Men: about the difficulties of maintaining mental health

Over 10 thousand calls in the second quarter to the Psychological Support Line for Men: about the difficulties of maintaining mental health

In the first half of 2026, we have observed a positive trend: men are increasingly turning to Line 2345 for psychological support. This indicates not only a growing need, but also a gradual change in attitude towards caring for mental health. Thanks to systematic information work, partnerships, and open conversation about emotional state, we are gradually normalizing requests for help, because in wartime, timely support is an important component of personal and social resilience. 

In order to help men safely experience crises and unload their inner container, Men's psychological support line 2345, created on the basis of the NGO "La Strada - Ukraine". We summarize the results of the project's work over two quarters and tell you why this resource is becoming important for thousands of Ukrainians.

Why is the Line becoming more and more relevant?

War does not reduce its pressure, it transforms and creates new challenges. If at the beginning of a full-scale invasion acute crisis reactions and shock prevailed, today the Line psychologists record a different trend: the accumulation of chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, loss of life orientations and serious problems with adaptation.

From the experience of psychologists of the Line:

More and more often, men are coming not because something urgent has happened right now, but because they can no longer carry this burden on their own. They come with a feeling of complete emptiness. Many admit that they put off calling for a long time because they considered their own problems to be small compared to the horrors of war on the front lines. But in the process of talking, they understand: their pain is real and important.

What are the most common questions men call with? The call statistics clearly show the pain points:

  • 73,1% — psycho-emotional problems (anxiety, apathy, depressive states);
  • 27,87% — problems directly related to the consequences of the war;
  • 24,6% — difficulties with employment and professional self-realization;
  • 20,36% — issues of addiction, in particular alcohol abuse as an attempt to "extinguish" stress;
  • 18,45% — having an established psychiatric diagnosis that requires support;
  • 15,75% — conflicts in families, in particular with parents or partners.

Why is it important to talk about free psychological services during war?

In a society where a culture of caring for mental health is only emerging, free and accessible psychological support hotlines are becoming the first — and sometimes the only — safe bridge to resource recovery.

Anastasia Glazkova, Line Coordinator:

In the midst of a full-scale war, talking about psychological services is a matter of our national resilience. Many people have found themselves in financial difficulty, having lost their homes or jobs, so paid therapy is out of reach for them. The availability of completely free, professional support lines ensures that no person is left alone with their crisis simply because they cannot afford a session.”

What is unique about the idea of Line 2345?

This is not just a hotline for one-time relief of acute anxiety, there are opportunities here for:

  1. The subscriber can receive individual, professional 50-minute consultation with a psychologist.
  2. Men have the opportunity to contact the Line several times, to work through the problem in dynamics and build an action plan.
  3. Anonymity and confidentiality. Communication takes place in an atmosphere of complete safety, where there is no room for judgment.

The Line's work in numbers (for the last two quarters):

  • Reporting period: I and II quarters of work (January-June 2026).
  • Total number of requests for the period of operation of the Line over 10,000 calls and online requests.
  • Over 2 000 men took their first step towards stabilization.

Let's talk about men's mental health

The project is being promoted among Ukrainians so that support contacts are always at hand. Over the past two quarters, large-scale communication campaigns have been implemented:

  • Informational posters in the subway, commercials on radio stations, posters in communities throughout Ukraine.
  • Successful joint projects with businesses - an energy company DTEK (under the slogan "Light does not hold itself together. It is held together by people.") and "ANTS Pharmacy" ("A first aid kit is also needed for wounds that are not visible"), as well as two large auto services and Kyivstar TV.
  • Popularization of Linia through integration with famous bloggers and YouTube projects (in particular, BLOGMAYSTER).
  • Contacts Lines are officially integrated into the platform of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program "How are you?", created on the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska.

Not just a phone: how Line 2345's online channels work

We understand that sometimes starting a conversation with your voice can be incredibly difficult, whether it's the fear of opening up to strangers or extreme anxiety. That's why Line 2345 has expanded its boundaries into the online space.

You can ask for help via text channels (Telegram, Instagram).

Although the initial communication begins in a chatbot, after a few automatic greeting phrases, a real person – a Line psychologist – communicates with you. The chatbot serves only as a secure connection. As soon as you click the "connect me with a psychologist" button, a Line specialist joins the dialogue and advises you in text format while adhering to all confidentiality standards.

If the psychologist does not answer immediately, please wait a little longer. Most likely, the specialist is currently consulting with the subscriber. We will definitely answer as soon as we are free. 

What prevents men from making the first move and how to change it?

To better show the difficulties men face today and in which situations psychological support can be especially important, we have prepared a video with real-life examples. Here you can recognize yourself or your loved ones, friends, colleagues. It helps to better understand the experiences, barriers to seeking help and reminds us that support is available to everyone who needs it. 

Watch our new video on YouTube  — check it out for yourself and send it to those who are struggling right now.

Line Coordinator Anastasia shares her thoughts on the internal barriers men face:

"The biggest barrier is the fear of appearing weak in the eyes of society or their family. Men have been instilled with the idea for years that they should suffer in silence and 'not whine'. They are afraid that showing vulnerability will destroy their authority. In addition, there is a strong fear of publicity: 'what if someone finds out?'

To overcome this, we need to systematically change the narrative. Seeking help from a psychologist is not a sign of helplessness or weakness. It's like regular maintenance for a car or an audit of a business. It's a rational, adult step of a strong person who wants to preserve their resources to protect their family and country."

What can each of us do right today?

  • Speak openly Talk to your loved ones about mental health. Remind the men around you that it is normal to feel tired or scared during war.
  • Share contacts – Save the Line number, repost on social networks. 
  • Avoid toxic and stereotypical phrasesInstead, ask: "How are you?".

Contacts that everyone should have at hand:

  • Phone number 2345 (Free from any mobile operators in Ukraine)
  • Work schedule daily from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  • Free, anonymous, confidential.

Our official online platforms and help channels:

Anonymously | Confidentially | Free

The project is implemented by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, with the support of Sweden in cooperation with the NGO “La Strada-Ukraine”

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