Solutions from Ukraine: Mobile psychological training sessions for youth launch in Kyiv region

"Emotions without an explosion" training at the Youth Center of Bila Tserkva. Photo source: Project archive

Alice Smahina

Free events have already taken place in ten communities across the Kyiv region. Additionally, young people can receive free online psychological consultations.

Rubryka explains how to join.

What's the problem?

War-induced anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and relationship issues affect the quality of life for young people. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to manage such conditions, recognize their own needs, and seek help in a timely manner.

At the same time, as Anna Sydoruk, founder of the NGO "bo.molodi," shared, the organization conducted an analysis of existing spaces that provide psychological support for youth, along with a series of interviews with young representatives living in communities in the Kyiv region. The research demonstrated that in many communities, especially those far from the capital, such services are available in minimal quantities or are entirely absent.

What's the solution?

Organizers arranged free mobile psychosocial support training sessions for youth aged 14 to 35 in communities across the Kyiv region. Communities invite psychologists who conduct sessions directly on-site. Participants learn how to cope with stress, build healthy relationships, uphold personal boundaries, and prevent burnout. For young residents in parts of the Kyiv region where mobile training has not yet arrived, there is currently an option to sign up for free individual psychological consultations.

The "(Bo) molodi. Svoi. Poruch"  ["(Because) young. Ours. Nearby" – ed.] project is implemented by the NGO "bo.molodi" jointly with the Charitable Organization "Boiarka Community Foundation," supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ukrainian Youth Foundation.

How does it work?

^{At the "Burnout" training for the Youth Council under the Kalynivka Village Council. Photo source: Project archive}

The "(Bo) molodi. Svoi. Poruch" project generally provides:

• Mobile psychological training sessions conducted by a trainer and a co-trainer pairing
• Anonymous online psychological consultations for youth
• An educational awareness campaign on social media pages emphasizing the importance of psychological support
• Additionally, project initiators collect anonymous feedback from participants of the mobile trainings to better understand youth needs in the future. In contrast, each training participant receives "Care Stickers" as a reminder that personal psychological well-being matters.

What participants learn at the trainings

^{"How stress and anxiety work" training at the Tarasivka school. Photo source: Project archive}

Training topics cover a sufficiently diverse range to provide young people with a broad selection tailored to their individual needs. The organization pilot-tested each topic within the Boyarka community.

"We deliberately chose a training session format because psychological support involves not just words, but actions. Often, changing a specific behavior, state, or belief requires not only understanding the meaning of what was said, but also practicing it live to reinforce the algorithm," says Anna Sydoruk.

^{"Emotions without an explosion" training at the Youth Center of Bila Tserkva. Photo source: Project archive}

Training takes place across 5 topics:

• What is happening to me: how stress and anxiety work. Participants learn how these states manifest at the bodily and emotional levels, why these reactions are normal, and master practical techniques for self-regulation and psychological first aid for themselves and those nearby.
• Friendship, relationships, and romance: how to be friends and stay safe. The session covers personal boundaries, sexual education, the concept of consent, signs of healthy and dangerous relationships, and safety in online communication.
• Emotions without an explosion: how to navigate anger, fear, and resentment. Based on the nonviolent communication model, participants learn to recognize emotions, understand the needs behind those emotions, and avoid escalating situations into conflict.
• Me and my boundaries: how not to lose yourself in communication. Youth learn how to uphold their own needs when communicating with friends, parents, and teachers without disrespecting the boundaries of others.
• Burnout: when strength runs out. Designed for active youth, students, volunteers, and teachers—those already experiencing a lack of energy. Participants learn how burnout differs from ordinary fatigue, how to recognize the first signs of exhaustion, and what recovery and prevention methods to apply in studies, volunteering, and everyday life.

For sessions, trainers utilize elements from emotional-image, body-oriented, and cognitive-behavioral therapies, including grounding techniques, relaxation, therapeutic drawing, sculpting, and storytelling. Each specialist holds professional qualifications and over five years of practical experience, enabling them to adapt sessions to the appropriate age group.

Does this actually work?

^{"Burnout" training for young teachers in Sofiivska Borshchahivka. Photo source: Project archive}

"Such meetings provide an opportunity to know oneself better, learn to build healthy communication, and find common ground even in difficult situations," shared training participant Anastasiia Hutnyk.

Meanwhile, representatives of the NGO "bo.molodi" noted that they did not expect the demand to prove so massive.

"We have already managed to work with over 10 communities in the Kyiv region, and currently, we have training sessions left to conduct in only two communities. We plan to seek and attract additional funding to continue implementing the project and expand the service delivery geography, as we managed to cover only a small portion of settlements in the Kyiv region," says Anna Sydoruk.

At the same time, registration remains open within the project framework for individual psychological consultations for youth. Participants can receive answers to their questions, qualified recommendations, and, if necessary, referrals to other specialists for long-term work.

Kateryna Meshirefova, a family, child, and adolescent counseling psychologist with over 10 years of experience, conducts the consultations.

How to join

^{Kateryna Meshirefova, family, child, and adolescent counseling psychologist. Photo source: Project archive}

Young people aged 14 to 35 residing in the Kyiv region can apply for consultations, which will run through the end of November. One can register via the link.

Individual psychological consultations remain free of charge and take place online. According to confidentiality rules, all information remains strictly between the beneficiary and the psychologist. Each consultation lasts up to 50 minutes.