The MAP studies aim to investigate the current state of mental health of people living in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees currently living in the Canton of Zürich in Switzerland. We try to identify issues like anxiety or depression in order to develop strategies to improve mental well-being.

The MAP studies are being conducted by research teams of the University of Zurich and Sumy State University and in collaboration with mental health experts and professionals in Ukraine and Switzerland. Find the study team members here.

You can only participate if you have received a written invitation with a link or QR code by email, Telegram, or postal mail.

Participants have to be 18 years of age or older, living either in Ukraine or in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, and having received a personal invitation letter can participate. We are looking forward to your participation!

It is important that the people in our study reflect the larger group of people that we want to learn about. To achieve this, we select participants randomly, as if we were drawing names out of a hat. To do this, we use a special computer program that receives information from the statistical offices of Ukraine and Switzerland. This way, everyone has an equal chance of being selected, and our findings are more reliable.

You need a tablet, a computer or a smartphone. You can access the detailed study information and the first questionnaire via a link that was sent to you by email, Telegram or postal mail. As soon as you confirm your participation in the study, you will be forwarded to the first questionnaire.

The MAP studies last 2 years. You will receive an electronic questionnaire every 3 months.

The first questionnaire takes a little longer to complete, around 15-20 minutes. The subsequent questionnaires take less time, a maximum of 15 minutes.

Yes, all information you provide as a participant will be kept strictly confidential and fully anonymized before being used for research purposes. This means that your responses cannot be traced back to you by anyone. No personal details such as your name or contact information will be disclosed or associated with the project in any way.

The findings and results of the MAP studies will be published on our website and in academic journals once analyses are completed. Participants will not receive individual results. However, they will be provided with a summary of the main findings. We expect the first results to be on our website in Summer 2024. We will also send regular updates about the study via newsletters.

The MAP studies will focus on a range of mental health issues, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol consumption and other common conditions that are usually especially prevalent in countries that are affected by war.

No, there is no financial compensation for participation. However, by participating, you will play a very important role in helping us understand the situation of mental health in Ukraine. Your contribution to our study will help to raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by Ukrainians and support efforts to build much-needed resources.

The MAP studies results will be used to inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and mental health organizations in Ukraine and Switzerland to develop interventions and support services for individuals struggling with mental health issues.

While personal experiences can provide valuable insights, the MAP study will primarily collect data for the whole study population through standardized research methods to ensure confidentiality and objectivity in the findings.

We do not offer direct support to individuals. However, if you need assistance or if you are experiencing difficulties with your mental well-being (for example feeling sad or anxious), you can call the hotline “Die Dargebotene Hand” in Switzerland at any time, free of charge and confidentially on 143. In Ukraine, please call 0-800-211-444.

Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any time and without giving any reasons. This has by no means any negative effects on you.

Your data that was collected prior to your withdrawal will still be evaluated and then anonymized. The identification key will be destroyed so that no one can find out afterwards that the data originally came from you. No further contact will be made with you through the study teams.

Your data is stored in a secure IT environment at the University of Zurich. Only a few researchers have access to the data in order to answer the research questions. After completion of the study, your data will be encrypted. The key is specially protected and is only accessible to a very few study collaborators. Only a few members of the study teams have access to your e-mail address to enable them to send you the study invitations.

All collected data from this research will remain stored securely for at least 10 years. After completion of the study, your data will be encrypted. This means that all personal information that could identify you (name, date of birth, etc.) will be replaced by a code. This code can be accessed only by the study leaders and will be stored securely at the at the University of Zurich for a period of 10 years. It will then be destroyed.

We have set up the highest possible security level to protect all study data from the very beginning. The study data is recorded in a data management system (REDCap) operated by the University of Zurich and stored on secure servers at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. Access to the data is also secured and all researchers who have access to the study are subject to strict confidentiality rules. The ethical committees of the Canton of Zurich and of Ukraine have agreed to our data protection measures.

If you are in Zurich, you can reach us on 044 634 48 22 or at map-studies@ebpi.uzh.ch. If you are in Ukraine, you can reach us by telephone on 0542 68 77 32 or at csd.sumdu@gmail.com.