First Lady Champions Mental Health

First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, made significant strides in advocating for mental health during her recent visits to key facilities in the Kyiv region. On September 4, 2025, Zelenska participated in an extended meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council on Mental Health Protection, focusing on providing psychological assistance to victims of Russian aggression.

Accompanied by top officials, including Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Zelenska visited the Main Medical Clinical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This center, a pilot project in the Medical and Psychological Rehabilitation Department, has already assisted over 2,500 defenders, including those who survived captivity. The facility offers psychoeducational activities, recreation areas, and a sports ground. “I thank all the specialists of the Department for physical and mental protection,” Zelenska expressed, emphasizing the importance of holistic health.

Further advancing her mental health advocacy, Zelenska, alongside Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi, visited the Plast Training Center in Bucha. The center is part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”, providing training, workshops, and art therapy for children, veterans, and their families. The center also supports the “Active Parks” initiative, promoting free sports activities across Ukraine. With over 1,500 sites involved and 4 million participants, the program underscores the therapeutic value of exercise. “Sports and exercise are among the methods recognized by psychologists for coping with stress and anxiety,” Zelenska noted, inviting Ukrainians to join these initiatives for active and meaningful leisure.