On 12 September 2024, in the context of the National Programme of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, with the support of the KNUTD Student Council, the Kyiv Youth Centre together with the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme «YOU ARE?» and the CO «Teenergizer» conducted a training: «Mental well-being. How to keep the balance?». The purpose of the event was to conduct psycho-prophylaxis of mental health and harmonise the inner world of the participants of the educational process, develop skills of self-awareness, self-reflection and self-analysis as necessary components of psychological well-being.
The training was attended by students of the Faculty of Design at the bachelor's and master's levels, Oleksandr Vasyliev, Deputy Dean for Educational Work of the Faculty of Design, and Oleksandr Babak, Chairman of the Student Council of the University.
The speakers of the event, Liubov Kuzovkina and Diana Panasiuk, representatives of Tinerjizer, spoke about the importance of maintaining and preserving mental health. It was noted that the concept of mental health is quite broad and multidimensional, an important component of a person's overall health and an integral part of their happy life.
According to the WHO definition, mental health is a state of happiness and well-being that promotes the realisation of a person's creative abilities, helps to withstand life stresses, and enables one to work productively and make a significant contribution to society. It is noted that the state of our mental health, which from time to time, due to certain life circumstances caused by social, environmental, economic, etc. factors, is out of balance and, accordingly, negatively affects our physical health. Therefore, mental health is about a healthy spirit and a strong mind, which contributes to the realisation of goals, fulfilment of desires and good physical health. It was noted that in the context of a full-scale war, the level of stress and tension increases every day. That is why it is important to learn how to maintain internal resilience in order to cope with the challenges of today.
The students of the Faculty of Design learnt about effective methods of overcoming stressful situations in times of crisis. In particular, special attention was paid to identifying ways to support mental health in the context of the war in Ukraine. The event emphasised the importance of psychosocial support, targeted actions aimed at meeting both the psychological and social needs of individuals, families and communities affected by the war. Possible ways to reduce suffering and improve mental health and psychosocial well-being were outlined.
The participants of the event were offered to discuss important issues about the criteria of mental health and the factors that determine a person's personal psychological stress resistance, the formation of the ability to control one's mental state and readiness to cope with dangerous situations. Particular attention was paid to practical methods of self-regulation of the psycho-emotional state, which are self-help tools in stressful situations, the main ones being conscious breathing techniques, neuromuscular relaxation and the method of guided thoughts.
19.09.2024
