Olena Zelenska Supports Mental Health Initiative for Ukrainian Defenders

First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, participated in the conference “Return. The Path to Mental Recovery,” aimed at supporting Ukrainian defenders, veterans, and their families. The event brought together over 200 participants, including military personnel, veterans, healthcare representatives, and international partners from the United States, Canada, and Israel.

During her speech, Zelenska highlighted the challenging situation in Ukraine due to the ongoing war, emphasizing that societal prejudice remains a significant obstacle in seeking mental health support. She discussed the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” and the efforts to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.

Zelenska shared that over 120,000 family doctors and therapists have been trained to provide mental health support, leading to a decrease in the percentage of Ukrainians unwilling to seek help. The new project “Return” aims to establish a network of mental health centers across Ukraine, offering free outpatient services to military personnel, veterans, and their families.

The project has already launched its first center in Dnipro, with plans to open at least 25 centers in different regions of Ukraine. Zelenska expressed confidence that the “Return” project will contribute to improving access to mental health services and encourage individuals to seek help when needed.