Ukraine Expands Mental Health Support

First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, spearheads a transformative mental health initiative aimed at providing accessible support for all Ukrainians. During an extended meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council on Mental Health on September 5, 2025, Zelenska highlighted the program’s objective to make psychological assistance a readily available resource across the nation.

In collaboration with key government figures such as Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Zelenska participated in a “Lesson of Happiness” at the Bilohorodka Lyceum. This pilot project, based on an American well-being course, focuses on developing emotional self-regulation and resilience among students. “The aim is to foster skills like conflict resolution and relationship-building,” Zelenska noted, emphasizing the holistic approach of the initiative.

The First Lady also visited the veteran hub, Veteran Space Irpin, and the Bucha Primary Health Care Center, where mental health support is now integrated into routine family doctor visits. She remarked on the importance of making psychological support accessible within familiar community settings. “Never before has such support been so close to people,” she stated.

Zelenska underscored the urgency of the initiative, citing a study by the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” and UNICEF, which found that nearly half of Ukrainians live in constant stress, with children showing significant signs of PTSD. The program aims to mitigate these challenges by promoting hobbies and social networks, essential tools in managing stress, according to the First Lady.