Ukraine Highlights Strength to Act

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in a Day of Joint Action in Zviahel, Zhytomyr region, focused on resilience, community support and mental health. The event was held under the theme “Sophiynist. The Strength to Live and Act.”

Zviahel is developing mental health infrastructure through Ukraine’s “How Are You?” program. The city has a Resilience Center and a veterans’ space, which support local residents and former service members.

In her address, Zelenska described Sophiynist as the ability to understand reality through both reason and empathy, remain committed to personal values during hardship and turn principles into action. She said the concept is reflected in Ukrainians’ efforts to continue working, care for their families and support one another despite the pressures of war.

More than 3,000 people from nearly 100 communities across Ukraine participated in the event. Attendees included local and regional officials, mental health professionals, program coordinators, community consultants, higher education representatives and members of the creative industries. The Day of Joint Action is an educational initiative of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”, coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers’ Mental Health Coordination Center with support from the World Health Organization.