IJSP Number 6, 2024

116 4.11. ADDRESS POLITICAL ISSUES Mental health professionals, who may typically strive to leave political issues out of their work may find that much more difficult to do when their country is under attack. Since group leaders are from different countries in the project discussed here, their views on the Russian-Ukrainian war may differ, notwithstanding their volunteer willingness to support Ukrainian mental health professionals. To avoid possible ambiguities, administrators of the project may ask potential supervisors to prepare short descriptions of their opinions regarding the current war and include them in the invitation announcement for prospective group members next to the group leader’s biography, dates, and times of the group, and other details. This information will allow participants to evaluate whether there are strong contradictions between their views and those of the group leader. The idea is to make the group a more productive space aimed at support rather than political discussion. 4.12. SHOW APPRECIATION FOR VOLUNTEER INTERPRETERS On several occasions a disgruntled interpreter, faced with a cluster of difficult and demanding expectations said something to the effect of: “It is not like I am being paid for this work!” We believe that such feelings are much less likely to arise if the interpreter feels they are in collaborative relationships and that they are respected and appreciated for their contribution. It is hoped that the recommendations offered are helpful for future interpreters and mental health workers who volunteer to assist those traumatized by war. A future initiative that has come into focus after two years of these ongoing activities would be to develop a manual of sorts that provides group guidelines, including those suggested here, to avoid the pitfalls and accentuate the successes of these groups. REFERENCES [1] Doherty, S., MacIntyre, A., & Wyne, T. (2010). How does it feel for you? The emotional impact and specific challenges of mental health interpreting. Mental Health Review Journal , 15 (3), 31-44. [2] Hamerdinger, S., & Karlin, B. (2003). Therapy using interpreters: Questions on the use of interpreters in therapeutic settings for monolingual therapists. JADARA- ROCHESTER NY- , 36 , 12-30. [3] Marcos, L. R. (1979). Effects of interpreters on the evaluation of psychopathology in non-English-speaking patients. American Journal of Psychiatry , 136 (2), 171-174.