IJSP Number 6, 2024

105 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERPRETING SUPERVISION GROUPS IN WARTIME UKRAINE John L. DiMINO 1 , Uliana IAVORSKA-PYLYPENKO 2 , Oksana KLYMCHUK 3 , Vira TUBALTSEVA 4 1 Ph.D., Director of the Mimesis Center, U.S.A. Email : jlouisd77@gmail.com 2 M.A., Founder of Kolibri Psychological Space, Ukraine 3 M.A., Volunteer Interpreter, Psycrisis Ukraine 4 M.A., Volunteer Interpreter, Psycrisis Ukraine Abstract It is an established finding that many view interpretation in mental health settings as more challenging and demanding on the interpreter for a variety of reasons. After a brief review of some of these relevant findings, the current paper discusses how the wartime context in Ukraine contributed to a variety of challenges for interpreters working with groups of supervisors and psychotherapists. A support group for Ukrainian interpreters conducted via an online platform served as a forum for raising and discussing the challenges that are reported here. Finally, recommendations about interpreting supervision groups are offered for the international community of volunteer helpers responding to a wartime mental health crisis. Key Words: Interpretation, Mental Health, Group Supervision, Wartime Recommendations 1. INTRODUCTION: A GROUP FOR INTERPRETERS IN UKRAINE One of the needs that were identified after the Russian invasion of Ukraine was to address the mental health crisis caused by the traumatization of war and the displacement of many Ukrainian citizens. The suddenness of the invasion led to the quick mobilization of many volunteer helpers including non-Ukrainian clinical supervisors who agreed to offer groups to Ukrainian mental health professionals. At the beginning of the project, there was little time for planning or organizing. Instead, groups of professionals rose to the challenge and at this writing continue