Themes by tag: psychological support

The Academy of Care, together with NPC “Ukrenergo,” has launched a special initiative for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 (World Children’s Mental Health Week 2026).

When it is dark and cold outside and power outage schedules become part of everyday life, it is especially important for children to feel that their “place” within the family remains a territory of warmth and safety. The goal of this year’s initiative is to provide families with a unique set of practical tools for “generating” warmth at home — tools that help preserve inner energy and emotional connection even during blackouts.

Format: a three-way meeting (child – adult – psychologist) via the MaPanda app. In real time, the psychologist operates the animated character Cat Pascal, creating the magic of live interaction. As a character with his own story of overcoming challenges, Cat Pascal becomes a “safe Other” for the child. Through this playful bridge, young psychologists help families tune their “mental tuning fork” of trust and safety. This is not just a session — it is the shared creation of a family story about how, even in a changing world, there is a place that truly belongs to them, where safety remains a constant.

The project will reach 700 families with children aged 6 to 9. Each family will receive a unique set of tools for “generating” warmth at home.

By prior arrangement, journalists may speak with the psychologist and founder of the “Academy of Care,” Anastasiia Svoboda, as well as, if possible, with participating families (parents and children) who have joined the initiative.

For reference: The initiative is implemented by the NGO “Opportunities. Motivation. Media.” (Academy of Care) in cooperation with MaPanda and in partnership with the Advisor–Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children’s Rights and Child Rehabilitation, Daria Herasymchuk, within the project “Gender-sensitive approaches to mental health and psychosocial support in Ukraine,” implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with funding from the Government of Germany.

• blackout
• children
• psychological support

For the past three years, the InNikos canine therapy center in Kyiv has provided a unique form of support, bringing together therapy dogs, professional dog trainers, psychologists, and rehabilitation specialists to aid in the mental and physical recovery of those impacted by Russia’s war.

The center serves a wide range of clients, including active-duty military personnel, families of service members, internally displaced persons, children who endured occupation, and others affected by the conflict. All sessions are offered free of charge, available either in group settings or one-on-one.

Six therapy dogs currently work at the facility. The most experienced are Chelsea, a mixed breed, and Freya, a miniature schnauzer, both 11 years old. The youngest is Sunny, a two-year-old Australian shepherd. Two Belgian shepherds, set to turn one in February, are now in training and preparing for certification.

Similar canine therapy programs are also up and running in Rivne, Chernivtsi, and Myrhorod.

Journalists interested in covering the center’s work in the capital are welcome by prior arrangement.

The InNikos center operates with support from the Royal Canin Foundation.

• animals
• casualties
• psychological support
• Kyiv

Media are invited to attend the presentation of the National Psychological Association’s Helpline activity results on December 11. The helpline has been operating for three and a half years and has become one of the key crisis support services during the full-scale war. The event will take place in Kyiv.

During the event, the NPA will present:

• Statistical data on the total number of inquiries over 3.5 years;
• Information on the types of inquiries and the most common issues raised by callers;
• Analysis of changes in demand during different periods of the war;
• The role of the helpline in supporting vulnerable population groups.

Participants:

• Valeriia Palii, Co-founder of the NPA Helpline, Vice President of the NPA, Academic Director of the Psychology program at KSE, practicing psychologist;
• Diana Shkarpitko, psychologist and trauma therapist at the NPA Helpline, facilitator of support groups for military families and training sessions for specialists;
• Svitlana Iliashenko, psychiatrist at the NPA Helpline with over 20 years of experience, child psychiatrist, member of the Ukrainian Psychiatric Association and the International Association of Psychologists.

Journalists must register for the event.

• psychological support
• Kyiv

The project is aimed at military personnel in Kyiv for rotation or recovering from injuries. The project’s goal is to help servicemembers who have just returned from the front line recover psychologically and physically, relieve stress, improve their mood, and boost morale.

The methodology, developed by Hanna Buraho, a Gestalt therapist and the founder of the Spirit Rehabilitation Center, is based on interacting with animals (horses, dogs, and cats).

Group sessions in hippotherapy, canine therapy, and psychotherapy are conducted with groups of 12 military personnel. The sessions consist of several stages. First, participants gather in a circle and work with a psychotherapist. Then, they move to the stable where they get acquainted with the horses, groom them, and treat them with snacks under the supervision of a hippotherapist. Finally, they ride the horses and perform exercises with them.

Since its inception in the summer of 2022, the project has attracted approximately 5,000 participants.

Journalists may cover the Spirit Warrior project by prior arrangement.

• animals
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, Maryna Sadykova worked in event management. But after February 24, 2022, her focus shifted entirely — she and her team began volunteering to support Ukrainian troops. The intense pace of that work soon took a toll. Struggling with burnout and anxiety, Sadykova sought peace in the Carpathian Mountains. That personal recovery experience inspired her to launch a mental health initiative for others facing the same strain.

Her organization, the Repower Charity Fund, now runs a psychological support program specifically for military medics and doctors who serve on the front lines. Based in Kyiv, the program offers a 10-day retreat in Sweden designed to help participants restore their emotional resilience and mental well-being.

Since 2022, Repower has organized 17 recovery programs, 16 abroad and one pilot retreat in Ukraine, reaching 1,244 combat medics who have since returned to duty. The foundation continues to expand its retreats and provide ongoing support for those who save lives under fire.

Media representatives and visitors can arrange to meet with Maryna Sadykova, her team, and program participants both online and in person in Kyiv by appointment.

• doctors
• psychological support
• volunteers
• women
• Kyiv

A press conference titled “A Dream That Unites” is going to be held by the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation in Kyiv on October 28. The event will highlight the unique initiative of 16-year-old Sofiia, a Ukrainian girl who built a model of the legendary An-225 Mriya aircraft and launched a charity fundraiser to provide psychological support to children affected by the war.

Three years ago, Sofiia was forced to leave Ukraine because of the war and moved to Switzerland. She faced many challenges, including adapting to a new environment, feeling lonely, and being bullied. However, with the help of psychologists from the Voices of Children Foundation, Sofiia was able to overcome these difficulties and integrate into her new environment. Inspired by her experience, she decided to help other children.

Sofiia meticulously built a detailed model of the An-225 Mriya aircraft. During a school presentation in Switzerland, she shared stories about Ukrainian children who have lost their homes and parents or who live in constant danger. She decided to raffle off the model in a charity lottery, directing the proceeds to the foundation’s psychologists, who provide critical support to children affected by war.

Representatives from SkyUp Airlines and the jewelry brand Kochut were inspired by Sofiia’s story and joined the initiative by adding valuable branded gifts to the charity raffle. The project also received support from the State Enterprise “Antonov” and Dmytro Antonov, the legendary pilot of the An-225 Mriya. Sofiia’s model was transported from Switzerland to Ukraine, where it will be exhibited for a month at the State Aviation Museum in Kyiv.

Participants:

• Sofiia, creator of the Mriya model (online);
• Olena Rozvadovska and Azad Safarov, co-founders of the Voices of Children Charity Foundation;
• Dmytro Antonov, pilot of the An-225 Mriya aircraft.

Media representatives and all interested parties are invited to attend the event.

• children
• psychological support
• Kyiv

Key topics:

– Self-help groups as a tool for rehabilitation and integration;

– The history of creating a self-help group based on the experience of the Public organization “Psychability”;

– Personal stories from group members. The experience of running a self-help group with the support of the Public organization “Psychability”;

– What prospects does the “Assistant for a Person with Mental Disorder” service offer for the creation and effective long-term functioning of self-help groups?

Participants:

– Lidia Martynova, Founder and Chair of the Board of the Public Organization “Psychability”;

– Kostiantyn Zelenov, Psychiatrist of the Highest Qualification at the Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine in Kyiv, Member of the Board of the Public Organization “Psychability”;

– Iryna Zhuk, Leader of the Self-Help Group at the Public Organization “Psyhabiliti”;

– Andrii Kovalov, Head of the “Reform of Social Services in Ukraine” Project, Expert Partner at Civitta Ukraine on Healthcare and Social Policy.

Background: The public organization “Psychability” is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental health conditions and their families. Many countries have found that self-help groups are an effective method of rehabilitation and social integration. However, these groups need comprehensive state-level programs to support people with mental disorders to work long-term and effectively.

• psychological support
• Kyiv

On August 12, the Media Center Ukraine will hold a presentation of the Sensory Labyrinth Theater, an innovative artistic practice designed to aid psychological recovery and meaning-making. 

The event will outline where and when the Sensory Labyrinth Theater will operate in Kyiv and explore prospects for expanding the practice across Ukraine.

Participants:

– Iwan Brioc (Wales, UK), Author of the Methodology, Founder of the CoArts (Context Oriented Art) Approach, Director of Research and Practice at ‘The Republic of the Imagination’ International Network;

– Yana Salakhova, Head of Theater for Change NGO, Theater of the Oppressed Practitioner;

 – Inna Palko, Co-Author of the Sensory Labyrinth, Activist, Theater of the Oppressed Practitioner.

Attendance requires prior accreditation.

For reference: The Theater of the Oppressed is a set of exercises, games, and techniques developed in the 1960s by Brazilian theater practitioner Augusto Boal to encourage dialogue, critical reflection, and collaborative problem-solving within communities. This approach helps participants open up to themselves and others, articulate desires and needs, examine conflicts, and develop strategies for non-violent change. It also fosters a culture of dialogue and respect for differences.

• psychological support
• Kyiv

On July 20, an open Buhurt training session will be held in Irpin, Kyiv oblast.  The event marks the start of regular activities for the “Buhurt Sich” project in the city. Participants will have the opportunity to try out this adaptive team sport based on medieval combat. All training sessions are free of charge. The “Buhurt Sich” team works for veterans, active military personnel, and anyone seeking strength through community.

Background: The “Buhurt Sich” project aims to restore the psychological well-being of soldiers by introducing them to Buhurt. This team combat sport involves simulated knightly battles, either in full armor or soft protective gear. It’s not only spectacular, but experience from other countries shows that it is also highly effective in aiding veterans. For instance, the majority of Buhurt athletes in the U.S. are former military personnel. They say that Buhurt helped them cope with PTSD, overcome alcohol and drug addictions, and prevent suicide. Beyond the physical challenge, Buhurt provides a tight-knit community, which is a crucial factor in rehabilitation.

• culture
• psychological support
• Kyiv

The Tytanovi Arts and Culture Center for Veterans Rehabilitation has officially opened its doors in Kyiv, marking a significant step forward in support for Ukraine’s wounded defenders. Launched by the Tytanovi Foundation as part of its broader Tytanovi Rehab initiative, the new facility is the first of its kind in the country to offer psychological and social rehabilitation for veterans with amputations, uniquely located inside a shopping mall.

The Tytanovi Foundation emphasizes that war leaves scars beyond the physical. Psychological wounds often run deep, and creative therapy is proving to be one of the most effective ways to heal them. The center offers a variety of services, including a creative studio, sports and art therapy sessions, as well as educational, social, and integration programs tailored to veterans’ needs.

To secure the center’s long-term operation, the TYTANOVI Charitable Foundation has partnered with the U.S.-based Hansen Ukrainian Mission. Under a newly signed memorandum, the American organization will cover all operating costs of the rehab center and its cultural-arts space in the Respublika Park shopping mall for one year.

For reference: The Tytanovi Foundation was founded by Armed Forces veteran Viacheslav Zaporozhets and is dedicated to supporting military personnel and veterans in their recovery. One of its key missions is to provide titanium implants for soldiers who have experienced complex limb loss.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv