On November 28, Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy became a platform for an important discussion on mental health and inner resilience. The university hosted a regional event – the Day of Cooperation “The Power of Gratitude”, organised within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme “How Are You?”, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.

The event brought together about a hundred participants – representatives of local authorities, educators, psychologists, State Emergency Service specialists, civil society leaders, the regional business community, managers and service providers in the field of mental health. The forum served as a space for dialogue among those who work with people every day, support our military, students, and residents of the region, with the aim of sharing experience and scaling effective cooperation.

The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss challenges in the field of psychosocial support and find common solutions to strengthen community resilience.

Rector Oleksandr Cherevko opened the event with welcoming remarks:

“I would like to sincerely thank our partners: Nataliia Kravchenko, First Deputy Head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, Viktoriia Shepil, Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Programme “How Are You?”, and Viktor Vus, Coordinator of the Regional Technical Working Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support of the Kyiv Hub – for joint projects that are already yielding results, and for believing in the potential of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy. In cooperation with them, our university is developing a mental health ecosystem both within the academic community and within the wider society.

My special gratitude goes to our team – Vice-Rector for Educational Work and Public Activities Halyna Havryliuk, and Director of the university’s Mental Health Research and Training Centre, Yuliia Sidenko. Thanks to them, our mental health centre has become one of the best in Ukraine in just a year and a half. We are among the 31 higher education institutions that belong to the “How Are You?” University Community and we already have successful cases and significant achievements.

It is very important that we do not stop here. We have already begun preparing for the implementation of the new programme “Peer to Peer” – we will train specialists from among those who have combat experience so that they can support their fellow service members. This was discussed yesterday at a meeting with Oksana Zbitnieva, Head of the Coordination Centre for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

As Avicenna said, the first remedy for the ill is love. And if it doesn’t help, double the dose. Today, we all need to double the dose of support for our military, students, and everyone who needs it. Because mental health is not just about well-being, it is about morale, spirit, and faith in tomorrow. I thank all forum participants for their incredible energy and desire to improve the mental health situation in a country that is fighting and defending itself.”

First Deputy Head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration Nataliia Kravchenko emphasised:

“We all remember how we began working on the implementation of the mental health support programme “How Are You?”. Much has been accomplished, and today we have gathered to summarise this year’s work. I thank the First Lady for being a driving force behind mental health support in wartime. My gratitude also goes to the Coordination Centre for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and personally to Oksana Zbitnieva, and to expert and regional coordination lead Olha Horbaniova, for consistent support, monitoring, and guidance that keeps us moving forward.

Today we have gathered to express gratitude to all who implement the programme “How Are You?” in and for the Cherkasy region. You devote your time and mental resources to helping others. My special thanks go to Viktoriia Shepil, Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian programme “How Are You?”. From our side, we promise that the authorities will continue doing everything possible to support you.”

Expert from the Coordination Centre for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Olha Horbaniova also joined the welcoming remarks online.

The meeting was moderated by Viktoriia Shepil, Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian programme “How Are You?”:

“We all know that taking care of mental health is our resource, our strength, and our resilience. It will allow us not only to win but also to rebuild Ukraine. And we already see how this works. We studied how awareness of available services within the framework of the “How Are You?” programme has changed in communities: thanks to educational efforts, regional coordination, and communication campaigns, it has increased two and a half times – from 18% in 2023 to 47% in 2025. The level of psychological tension decreased from 46% to 25%.

This shows that we are moving and working in the right direction. We are preparing for an increase in the number of people seeking help – because they understand the value of this support and recognise the importance of professional assistance.”

The opening atmosphere was complemented by a performance of the “Voices” Music Arts Studio of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy.

The event programme featured two rich expert panels. The first panel, “Stronger Together: Challenges in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support”, gathered service providers. Among the speakers were representatives of the Regional Psychoneurological Dispensary, the Main Department of the State Emergency Service in the region, the Regional Institute of In-Service Teacher Training, the CO “100% LIFE CHERKASY”, the Resilience Centre “Refectio”, and the Cherkasy State Technological University. Experts discussed urgent problems and shared their experience working with different population groups during wartime.

An important part of the event was the presentation of the results of the All-Ukrainian programme “How Are You?” in the Cherkasy region for 2025, delivered by Viktoriia Shepil.

Presenting the work of the university’s Mental Health Research and Training Centre, Director Yuliia Sidenko highlighted the university’s contribution to protecting the mental health of the region’s residents.

The second expert panel, moderated by Yuliia Sidenko, was titled “Support for the Supporters: The Inner Strength of Leaders Who Inspire Others.” Managers from various fields took part, including Dean of the Psychology Department Olena Kulish, Head of the Cherkasy Regional Organisation of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society Yuliia Kholodna, as well as representatives of socially responsible businesses and private educational institutions. Participants shared their strategies for maintaining personal resources and supporting their teams during crises.

Summing up the results of the Day of Cooperation, Nataliia Kravchenko and Viktoriia Shepil emphasised the importance of synergy of efforts of all sectors – government, education, civil society, and business – in building an effective system of psychosocial support in the Cherkasy region.

The event demonstrated that gratitude and mutual support are powerful resources that help Ukrainians overcome today’s challenges.

More on this can be found in the report by TRC “Ildana”:

ALL PHOTOS

Press Office of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy

Photos by: students of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Ukrainian Philology and Social Communications – Denys Koval, Anna Kuiumdzhy, Sofiia Rymska, Yelyzaveta Korniichuk, Anastasiia Blinova