First FRID Workshop in Gothenburg: Building Peer Support for Mental Health

The first training group of facilitators within the FRID project officially started in Gothenburg on October 4-5. Over two intensive days, participants immersed themselves in the TOIVO methodology, learning the skills and tools needed to lead peer support groups within the Ukrainian community.

What is FRID?

FRID (Facilitating Refugee Integration through Dedicated Mental Health Support) is a community-driven initiative, created in collaboration between Help Ukraine Gothenburg (HUG), MIELI Mental Health Finland, and Reach for Change.  

Funded by the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation, the project runs for 18 months — from April 2025 to October 2026 — and aims to strengthen the mental health of Ukrainian refugees in Sweden as a foundation for sustainable integration.

Why FRID Matters?

Recent surveys in Gothenburg reveal significant mental health challenges within the Ukrainian community. In August 2023, 71.8% of Ukrainians reported sleep and eating disturbances, 62.4% experienced anxiety, and 50.9% struggled with loneliness. Follow-up data from the Better You&Me program (May 2024 - January 2025) shows the persistence of these challenges: 67.7% of participants showed probability of anxiety disorders, 51.5% faced difficulties with daily functioning, and 36.9% showed probability of depression.

Despite these challenges, many face barriers to accessing professional help due to language barriers, cultural differences, and the complexity of the healthcare system.

The TOIVO Approach

To bridge this gap, FRID introduces peer-based mental health support rooted in MIELI’s TOIVO model — a proven approach that builds community trust and emotional resilience through shared experience.  

Each FRID group will be led by trained facilitators — people who understand the challenges of adapting to life in a new country and can create safe, inclusive spaces for others to share, learn, and heal together.

The TOIVO peer group model is built on the principle of "act-feel-apprehend." In each session, group members decide on an activity to do together, followed by discussions about the emotions the experience evoked. Through this process, participants discover small, practical changes they can incorporate into daily life to positively impact their mental health — such as improving eating and sleeping habits.  

Groups meet 8 times, with each session focusing on a key wellness topic: healthy food, physical exercise, sleep, relationships, stress, emotions, and more. By combining MIELI’s experience, HUG’s community work, and Reach for Change’s innovation expertise, FRID aims to make peer-based, culturally adapted support available across Sweden — ensuring that mental well-being becomes an integral part of refugee integration.

Positive Response to the First Training

The demand for the first facilitator training exceeded all expectations — the group was fully booked within just one day. Participants were curious, open, and deeply engaged, sharing their reflections, ideas, and personal experiences.

I believe this project is very important for Ukrainians living in Sweden, as it helps develop valuable skills for building and maintaining mental well-being. - Kyrylo Semenov, participant

During the workshop, we explored the core principles of the TOIVO methodology, discussed how peer support can strengthen mental health, and practiced role-based exercises focused on trust-building and group facilitation.

The discussions touched on what strengthens mental health — and what Ukrainians in Sweden often lack today: continuity, belonging, and community. The atmosphere in the room was warm, attentive, and inspiring. One participant even joined from Malmö, showing how strong the interest in the method is across regions.

I’ve always had ideas, and this truly resonates with my experience, so I really want to try myself in the role of a facilitator. - Yuliia Tretiiak

What Comes Next

In October, the first wave of FRID peer-support meetings will begin. Step by step, we will observe how small group connections can make a big difference — helping participants strengthen resilience, prevent challenges, and feel less alone.

FRID is more than a project — it’s a growing community of care. Together, we’re creating a space where every Ukrainian in Sweden can feel seen, supported, and connected.

For more information, you are welcome to contact:  

Mariya Melnyk, Project Manager, Help Ukraine Gothenburg: mariya.melnyk@hug.ngo    

Jane-Ange Musekura, Project Manager, Reach for Change: jane-ange.musekura@reachforchange.org  

Melis Ari-Gurhanli, Project Manager, MIELI Mental Health Finland:  melis.ari@mieli.fi