Themes by tag: psychological support

The “TOY THERAPY ROOM” stands as a nationwide charitable initiative established by a collective within the NGO The National Genofund amidst the full-scale invasion. Its primary aim is to mitigate the trauma endured by both children and adults impacted by Russia’s invasion, achieved through the application of puppetry and play therapy techniques.

The TOY THERAPY ROOM offers a carefully designed environment where children and adults can navigate their emotions in a healthy and supportive manner. Within these spaces, carefully curated by dedicated hosts, individuals can explore their feelings, replenish their inner strength, and nurture a sense of confidence in their own abilities and desires. Central to the experience are the hundreds of soft toys that inhabit each room. These toys serve not only as companions but also as conduits for understanding and healing. Participants are encouraged to select a toy at the outset of their session, which then becomes a steadfast ally throughout their journey. Beyond the confines of the therapy room, this toy becomes a transitional object through which psychologists gain insights into the person’s condition and provide assistance.

Today, the TOY THERAPY ROOM initiative boasts over 70 locations across Ukraine, extending its reach even beyond national borders to countries like Germany and Bulgaria. Spearheaded by Victoriia Nazarevich, a seasoned psychologist and the driving force behind the Nazarevich-Art psychology training portal, the project maintains a team of dedicated professionals comprising psychologists and art therapists.

For journalists seeking insight into this transformative endeavor, opportunities for interviews with project representatives and participants are available in Kyiv and other cities by prior arrangement. Additionally, online communication channels offer convenient access for those unable to attend in person.

• casualties
• children
• psychological support
• Kyiv

On May 18, media representatives are invited to the “Veteran House” project’s Doors Open Day. This project is part of “New Perspective” – a large charitable educational program for veterans of the russo-Ukrainian war and their family members, which is implemented by the Alyona Vinnytska Charitable Foundation in cooperation with the Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv and with the support of the State Employment Service.

Those participating in the program can undergo psychological rehabilitation and acquire a new profession – a psychologist for veterans and their family members.

For the first time in Ukraine, the program involves a systematic approach to the training of such specialists and consists of several stages. (Journalists have the opportunity to learn more about them). The author of the idea and the leading psychologist of the program is Oleksandr Tkachenko, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, military psychologist, veteran of the russo-Ukrainian war.

During the “Veteran’s House”  project’s Doors Open Day, media representatives will be able to take part in an “art hour,” chat with program participants, ask for comments from the program’s leading psychologist Oleksandr Tkachenko and Alyona Vinnytska.

The event requires accreditation.

For reference: Participation in the program is free of charge for and is funded by Alyona Vinnytska Foundation with the money coming from socially responsible businesses and caring citizens.

• psychological support
• Kyiv

At 39 years old, Victoriia Prokhorenko resides in Kryvyi Rih with her son and daughter. Her husband, Anton, swiftly mobilized upon the commencement of the full-blown invasion, rising to the rank of squad leader in a Special Forces battalion of the National Guard within months. However, upon his return home a year and a half ago, Victoriia noticed a stark transformation in Anton’s demeanor. Afflicted with PTSD, he struggled to reintegrate into family life despite her efforts and the assistance of a psychologist. Anton’s sleeplessness and subsequent alcohol consumption culminated in hospitalization due to a micro-stroke, instilling fear even in their children. Consequently, the couple made the difficult decision to part ways, navigating the challenges of PTSD recovery and family dynamics.

In the midst of adversity, Victoriia hit the ground running, taking up educational training and delving into the field of psychology. Determined to sustain her relationship with her beloved, she faithfully communicated with him daily. After several months, Anton reconnected and began applying the psychological techniques imparted by his wife. Within a month, Victoriia won her husband back home. 

Presently, Victoriia is on the cusp of completing her studies and is already strategizing her approach to support military spouses and children. She is eager for her experiences to resonate with women who may feel isolated in their struggles amid the backdrop of war.

Victoriia Prokhorenko is available for interviews, both in-person in Kryvyi Rih and online. 

• casualties
• military
• psychological support
• women

On April 27, the “Strong 300” fun run obstacle course will be held in Kyiv to support war veterans, wounded soldiers and facilitate patriotic education of youth.

The purpose of the event is to popularize the benefits of sports and give children the opportunity to communicate directly with those who went through combat at the front via the unique “veteran + child” race format. It is also supposed to have a therapeutic effect on veterans and wounded soldiers.

Categories and distances:

• Individual race for adults/children, 1 km;
• Individual race for adults/children, 5 km;
• Pair race for adult + child, 3 km.

Each of the registered participants will receive a “STRONG 300” commemorative medal. To participate in the race, it is necessary to pay a charity contribution, the collected funds will be used to purchase sports equipment for the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers and veterans.

Various activities are also planned during the event (artifacts of war exhibition, disassembly/assembly of various types of (dummy) weapons, master classes on tactical medicine basics, etc.).

• casualties
• children
• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

The “Rehabilitation in the Carpathians” project was created as a part of the “Psychological support for women defenders” project of the Zemliachky NGO. Its purpose is to restore the mental and emotional health of military women. The initiative is open to all female defenders.

According to the organizers, the project gives women the opportunity to reboot, rest and spend time in a safe place surrounded by their people (“tribe” effect). It is also an opportunity to spend time alone with nature.

Preference in the formation of the group is given to military women who were held in captivity, as well as defenders who have worked in the combat zone for a long time, because they are the ones who need support and the opportunity to recover the most.

As part of the project, 5 groups have already undergone rehabilitation in the Carpathians, and the sixth group is set to start in the near future as well.

Journalists are welcome to learn more about the peculiarities of covering the initiative.

• military
• psychological support
• women

Five child-friendly spaces recently sprouted in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, bringing the total count to 27 scattered across Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. It’s a tag-team effort between the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine and the NGO Responsible Citizens.

These sanctuaries offer a snug and secure setting where families with kids can team up with psychologists, art therapists, and speech therapists. Social workers and legal eagles also swoop in to aid families in tackling sticky situations. And for those kiddos hungry for knowledge, select spaces dish out classes designed to jazz up their understanding of core subjects, all while having a blast.

Covering every corner, mobile psychosocial support units are on the move throughout all four regions. Psychologists, social workers, art therapists, and a backup crew of lawyers and speech therapists trek to far-flung communities, extending a hand to those lacking local resources. 

IDP families and locals alike are cordially welcome to swing by these spaces.

Journalists have the opportunity to delve deeper into the spaces and cover their functionality, with prior arrangement.

• casualties
• children
• psychological support

The initiative, spearheaded by the philanthropic organization Cultural Forces of Ukraine, serves as a nexus for cultural and educational endeavors, catering to residents who endured the tumultuous Russian occupation. Within the House of Imagination, patrons can engage in a spectrum of activities fostering creativity and focus, including workshops and meditation sessions, with a primary focus on enriching the youth. “Our mission is twofold: to provide psychological support to those affected by the occupation and to promote Ukrainian culture. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to revitalizing Ukrainian arts, music, and culture,” stated Serhii Martyniuk, co-coordinator of the Cultural Forces of Ukraine Charity Foundation.

• casualties
• culture
• occupation
• psychological support
• Kharkiv

Volodymyr Mamalyha is a psychologist by profession. In 2014, when russia attacked Ukraine for the first time, he volunteered to join the army. Volodymyr served as a sniper in the East. After returning to civilian life, the veteran began to help the military by providing psychological support to the defenders and creating veteran communities in Cherkasy.

The day after the big war started, the man was already in the ranks of the Armed Forces. Volodymyr fought near Popasna and Lysychansk in Luhansk region, later he was hospitalized and discharged from active duty by the decision of the military medical commission.

The veteran says that it was not easy to return to normal life, so he decided to create a hub of psychological support for servicemen and veterans of the Armed Forces. Volodymyr applied for a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, won and received funding. And then he started a hub in Cherkasy. Besides psychologists, lawyers work there too. In addition, various training events for veterans are held in the hub. Currently, Volodymyr has applied for another grant to purchase a special car to transport servicemen with disabilities to the hub.

• casualties
• military
• psychological support

“Darling, I Live on!” is a psychological support project for women who lost their husbands in the war. It operates in Zaporizhia.

In March 2023, activist Yaryna Herashchenko was approached by a family friend who had lost her military husband who asked her for support. Then the women came up with the idea to create the project “Darling, I Live on!” Yaryna’s mother, who is a psychologist, got involved as well.

Over the course of a year, 22 participants joined the project. As part of the initiative, women receive psychological aid and support on their way to recovery. In particular, they take part in various activities: archery, yoga and Thai boxing. Women also participate in field sessions. For example, on the island of Khortytsia, the participants wrote letters to their loved ones, made small paper boats from their messages and sent them down the Dnipro. They also treated each other to their loved ones’ favorite dishes.

The participants are also taking part in two photo projects: “Memory of you” (photos with memorabilia that help the participants tell the stories of their husbands) and “Darling, I Live on!” (“awakening photo shoot”). Group 4 meetings will start in March.

• dead
• military
• psychological support
• women
• Zaporizhzhia

“Generation U” NGO in partnership with the Kharkiv Puppet Theater named after V. Afanasieva and Bray Area Partnership (Ireland) started a large-scale project titled “My Doll Stories” for children and teenagers whose families were forced to escape the war zone.

In Kyiv, Kharkiv and Bray (Ireland), the project team conducts classes in puppetry and music therapy. Through these practices, organizers aim to help children, particularly teenagers, to overcome trauma and stress caused by a change in environment. And later, the organizers want to use the achievements of their project to create a full-fledged puppet therapy course that can be scaled and developed further.

The project is initiated by Kristina Liulchenko, Creative Director at Generation U NGO, and Olha Pinaieva, teacher of puppet therapy, Founder of the “Bag of Dolls” project.

The project will work until March 24.

For reference: Generation U is an NGO established by a group of cultural representatives to solve various pressing social issues. The NGO’s activities include setting up an art residency, running social projects and holding master classes. 

• children
• psychological support
• Kharkiv
• Kyiv