The post-crisis period following the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine has revealed critical gaps in the capacity of primary care to address population mental health. In this context, mental health literacy (MHL) and digital health literacy (DHL) emerge as key frameworks for strengthening the role of family physicians as first-line providers of psychosocial support. This review aims to synthesize current evidence (2016–2025) on the integration of MHL and DHL in family medicine practice, with a specific focus on post-crisis settings and the Ukrainian case as a unique example for Europe. A systematic narrative review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020) and JBI (The Joanna Briggs Institute) guidelines. Literature searches were performed in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Out of 220 identified records, 47 studies were included, covering global, regional, and national evidence. The analysis revealed three key domains: the 1st domain – educational one – integrated MHL / DHL programs enhance trust and adherence to treatment; the 2nd domain – clinical one – combined competencies of physicians improve early detection of anxiety and depression; the 3rd domain – systemic one – integration reduces stigma and digital inequalities. Evidence from Ukraine highlights the dual burden on family physicians, who simultaneously provide trauma-informed care and facilitate access to electronic health system (eHealth) services in war conditions. Thus, MHL and DHL are not auxiliary concepts but strategic resources for the resilience of primary health care. For post-crisis societies, especially Ukraine, their integration into clinical practice, educational curricula, and health policy is a prerequisite for effective recovery and long-term sustainability.
Черепєхіна et al. (Fri,) studied this question.