On 15 May, on the occasion of International Family Day and World Vyshyvanka Day, Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy became the centre of an important event – the “Community Action Day”, held as part of the Mental Health Awareness Month.

This event was guided by the philosophy of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. It was dedicated to issues of psychological resilience, finding meaning on everyday life, and supporting one another.

 The university community actively joined the event, which highlighted the importance of nurturing one’s mental health. Opening the event, the Rector of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, Oleksandr Cherevko, welcomed all those present and emphasised the significance of the initiative:

“This day united thousands of people across Ukraine who together searched for meaning in their families, colleagues, and friends, in the rushnyk (the embroidered towel), and in the vyshyvanka (the embroidered shirt).”

When we think of the vyshyvanka, we remember our family, our mothers and grandmothers. They created this beauty with their own hands, stitching into it our genetic code. All of this helps us preserve our mental health.

Our university community continually supports the Armed Forces. This is also our shared action for the sake of victory. But in any confrontation, both weapons and spirit matter. Mental health is that very spirit – essential both for those holding weapons and for those waiting for them at home.

The participants of Community Action Day at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy created an incredible atmosphere. Various institutes and faculties, the student council, and our centres – the Centre for Mental Health, Centre for Creative Industries, Centre for Ukrainian Cossacks, the Museum of the Ukrainian Rushnyk, the Support and Rehabilitation Centre for War Veterans and Students, and the Media Literacy Centre – all presented their activities. The event featured “Family Karaoke”, masterclasses, reading corners, and photo zones. Those present also shared their thoughts and reflections on the “Tree of Meanings”.

It is precisely such initiatives that strengthen our collective resilience, give us the strength to persevere, and provide hope for the future.

An honoured guest of the event was Viktoriia Shepel, regional coordinator of the “How Are You?” mental health program in the Cherkasy region, who shared her perspective on the importance of collective support and psychological resilience:

“It is an honour for me to be present at this event. The vyshyvanka is not just clothing – it carries encoded national memory, unity, strength, and memories – it holds our entire life. Family is a source of strength, our support, the wings that allow us to rise. Support for military families provides incredible energy in the fight for Ukraine’s independence. The fact that today we are combining these commemorative days speaks to our cooperation, shared strength, and collective wisdom. Only together can we resist the enemy.

I sincerely thank the Rector and Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, who have already become ambassadors of mental health in the Cherkasy region. I also thank the University’s Centre for Mental Health, which continues to generate meaningful initiatives. Special thanks to Director of the Educational and Scientific Centre for Mental Health, Yuliia Sidenko and to Vice-Rector for Educational, Upbringing, and Image-Building Activities, Halyna Havryliuk for their support and inspiration.”

“I am because we are” – this was the central idea of Community Action Day. This was also the name given to the space of meanings, where university centres and institutes, faculties, the university library, and the student council welcomed the participants to their themed locations.

The event encouraged every participant to reflect on their personal sources of meaning – what motivates them to wake up each day, care for their families, set goals, and do good. The Educational and Scientific Centre for Mental Health invited the participants to create a family coat of arms and come up with a family motto, highlighting the therapeutic potential of art therapy. The Centre for Creative Industries offered everyone the opportunity to draw a “Childhood Dream” and engage with the “Resource Box” created by Ukrainian psychologist Svitlana Roiz.

Student councils from various institutes and faculties presented posters about the acceptability of different emotional states, promoting emotional awareness and regulation – especially of anxiety.

The Educational and Scientific Centre for Media Literacy offered guests a range of engaging activities. The participants took photos with emojis that reflected their emotional state in the media world, distinguished between real and AI-generated images, crafted effective prompts for AI, and even created song lyrics. They also conducted life streams from the Instagram account of the Department of Journalism, Advertising, and PR-Technologies, and took part in energiser exercises.

The Educational and Scientific Centre for Support and Rehabilitation of War Veterans and Students showcased functional trainers and myostimulators, emphasising the importance of physical activity in maintaining mental health.

The participants also had the opportunity to join a dance masterclass and sing in the “Family Karaoke” zone, as both singing and dancing are known for their therapeutic effects.

At the location organised by the Educational and Scientific Institute of Pedagogical Education, Social Work and Art, visitors created origami, explored the art of silhouettes, and the youngest guests could transform into fairy tale characters with face painting.

The Centre for Ukrainian Cossacks and the “Museum of the Ukrainian Rushnyk” filled the space with Ukrainian traditions and cultural meanings.

A reading corner called “Children’s Library” organised by specialists from the M. Maksymovych Scientific Library together with student media professionals, offered a place for fostering human values through fairy tales.

A scientific perspective on happiness was presented by students and lecturers of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the location titled “Endorphines in Test Tubes: The Chemistry of Happiness”.

The Department of Military Training conducted a first aid demonstration, sharing vital knowledge on providing pre-medical assistance.

Community Action Day concluded with a symbolic moment: everyone was invited to write down their personal meanings on special “blooming paper”, which will later grow into cornflowers, symbolically imbued with those meanings. These reflections were placed on the “Tree of Meanings”, serving as a visual embodiment of collective thoughts and inspiration.

In the space of meanings, the event was complemented with a relaxed atmosphere by photo zones featuring the event’s visual identity and ethnic motifs, along with booths offering treats.

The “Community Action Day” at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy became a vivid example of how the university community actively engages in essential social initiatives, fostering psychological resilience and supporting mental health across society.