The Ukrainian Red Cross holds psychoeducation sessions

The Ukrainian Red Cross conducts psychoeducation sessions — thematic information and practical sessions where participants gain knowledge and practical tools to support their mental health and wellbeing.

The sessions cover topics such as distress and its impact on people, anxiety and ways of coping with it, grief and loss, as well as other mental health-related topics. A separate series of psychoeducation sessions is held for veterans’ families and their close relatives and friends as part of the “By Your Side After the Front” programme, as well as for veterans.

The sessions are currently held in 23 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,800 sessions have been held, bringing together over 17,600 participants.

For example, during the “Self-Help for Stress” psychoeducation session held at the Resilience Centre in Zaporizhzhia, participants learned more about how to recognise signs of stress, support themselves in challenging situations and find their own ways to restore emotional balance.

Particular attention was given to practical exercises that can help reduce tension, restore inner balance and better cope with emotional strain. The session also included a creative activity — drawing as an opportunity to take a break from everyday worries, immerse themselves in the process and stay present in the moment.

The Ukrainian Red Cross continues to work to ensure that people have access to knowledge and practical tools that help them maintain their mental health, better understand their own emotional state and support their wellbeing during challenging times.