On August 26, Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy hosted the opening of the educational and scientific laboratory for child and family mental health “FAMILY MIND LAB”.

The news was reported by “Nova Doba”. The project was implemented with the support of the international organization “Save the Children in Ukraine”, Viktor Vus, Coordinator of the Regional Technical Working Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support at the Kyiv Hub, Viktoriia Shepil, Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”, and the Cherkasy Regional State Administration.

The opening of the “FAMILY MIND LAB” was attended by the First Deputy Head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration Nataliia Kravchenko, Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” Viktoriia Shepil, university partners and friends, BKNUC vice-rectors, faculty members of the Psychology Department and the Educational-Scientific Institute of Pedagogical Education, Social Work and Art.

Nataliia Kravchenko emphasized that the regional authorities pay special attention to the issues of mental health care for children and adolescents. She noted the active role of the university in creating appropriate services.

Currently, eight such spaces are already operating in the Cherkasy region, integrated into the public health system. Training specialists for them is an important mission of the university.

University Rector Oleksandr Cherevko stated:

“As part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”, today we are launching the educational and scientific laboratory for child and family mental health. Serving society is one of the university’s priority areas.

As an educational and scientific centre, Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy became, during wartime, a large hub for helping the army and society. Today, our focus is on mental health, as we all need psychological support now.

That is why such a centre is extremely important. Students will undergo practical training here, while faculty will be able to leave their children under the care of child psychology specialists during working hours.

Today, we have also established a partnership with the Communal Non-Commercial Enterprise “Cherkasy Regional Children’s Hospital of Cherkasy Oblast Council”. This step has been long overdue. A similar facility already operates in the hospital, and our specialists will be able to exchange experience.”

Viktoriia Shepil, Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”, highlighted the practical and educational role of the laboratory:

“The laboratory will serve as a research space and a platform for developing methodological materials that will be used by specialists in child and family psychology, as well as for providing free consultations to families with children. In addition, scientific research will be conducted here and future psychologists will be trained.

We also envisioned this laboratory as an educational and scientific support for all mental health specialists in the region. Here, practice, an educational and methodological foundation, and the analysis of data obtained from work with the target audience in communities, will be combined.

Psychological assistance services will become more accessible to families with children in communities most in need.”

Dean of the Psychology Department Olena Kulish emphasized the role of the laboratory in connecting education with practice:

“The foundation of mental health is laid in childhood. Family harmony shapes the resilience and confidence of an individual. The laboratory enables us to integrate student training, scientific research, and thematic events for children and adolescents.”

Yuliia Sidenko, Director of the Educational-Scientific Centre for Mental Health of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, said:

“This is a logical continuation and development of the mental health care system within a higher education institution. The creation of such a laboratory is a necessary step that strengthens our positions in the context of scientific and grant activities. It is planned to analyse data on the level of mental well-being of children and adolescents in the Cherkasy region. We strive to ensure that no child is deprived of care.”

She also emphasized the importance of coordinating with international partners.

Svitlana Avramchenko, Head of the Department of Applied Psychology, who will be in charge of the laboratory, added that a number of educational programs for master’s degrees at the Psychology Department involve studying the patterns of development of the human psyche:

“We have external training sites, but this laboratory allows students to gain practical experience within the university itself, under the mentorship of experienced lecturers-practitioners.”

Halyna Havryliuk, Vice-Rector for Educational and Image Activities thanked everyone who contributed to equipping the laboratory. She also acknowledged the contribution of students from the Department of Fine and Decorative Arts, who, under the guidance of the department’s senior lecturer, Neonila Nedosieko, designed the laboratory’s unique interior.

As part of the event, a cooperation agreement was also signed between Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy and the Cherkasy Regional Children’s Hospital, which establishes collaboration in the training of specialists, conducting practical classes, and providing psychosocial support for children.

This marks another step towards the integration of scientific, educational, and practical approaches into the region’s medical infrastructure.

Ihor Bassarab, Medical Director of the Cherkasy Regional Children’s Hospital, stressed the importance of collaboration with the university:

“The issue of children’s mental health is extremely urgent. Our institution is pleased to respond to the initiative of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy to cooperate. Joint work will bring only positive outcomes for our children.”

Source: “Nova Doba”