Psychosocial Support for Schoolchildren in Wartime Ukraine: Community-Based Access and Perceived Effectiveness

Background Since the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, a range of initiatives have been launched to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), particularly for children and adolescents. Community-based support has been declared a national priority, yet the development of accessible and effective services remains in its early stages and requires ongoing monitoring. Objective This study aimed to characterize the provision of psychosocial support to Ukrainian schoolchildren during wartime and to assess its perceived effectiveness. Methods Between 2022 and 2025, a nationwide survey was conducted among parents and caregivers of school-age children (N = 7551). The study examined the need for psychological support, service utilization, perceived effectiveness, and levels of social support. Binary logistic regression models were used to assess predictors of help-seeking and perceived effectiveness on the basis of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Results Overall, 12.0% parents of the children reported that their children needed psychological support, whereas only 9.9% received it. Among those who accessed services, 68.1% rated support as effective. However, effectiveness was significantly lower among children with anxiety and depressive symptoms (53.9%). The strongest predictor of help-seeking ability was the presence of such symptoms (OR = 3.06; CI 3.03–4.26). Urban residence and displacement were positively associated with service use, whereas rural residence and lack of migration experience were correlated with lower access. Parental education and general social support were not significant predictors of help-seeking, but high levels of social support were associated with greater perceived effectiveness, suggesting that interpersonal and community resources shape both access and outcomes. Conclusions The findings reveal persistent inequalities in access to psychological support for children, particularly in rural areas. The gap between need and utilization remains substantial. Strengthening community-based services, increasing public awareness, and expanding specialized training are recommended. Special attention should be given to internally displaced families and children with chronic illnesses or elevated psychological distress. These results underscore the importance of further research into the role of social and community environments in shaping MHPSS outcomes.