Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design actively participated in the implementation of the project “Ecosystem of Psychological Assistance in Education” created in 2022 by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Institute for Modernization of Education Content, the Association of Innovative and Digital Education within the framework of the National Program of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support at the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

On October 22, 2024, Oksana Lapa, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Practical Psychologist of the highest category, conducted a training session “Development of Personal Resilience (Strategies for Combating Exhaustion)” to provide psychosocial support to the academic staff of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion, in particular, curators of academic groups.

Curators of student groups and academic staff members have a huge workload and responsibility for psychosocial support of students, as they actually play the role of a coach, facilitator, tutor, and mentor in the individual educational trajectory of higher education students.

Oksana Viktorivna is a practicing psychologist of the method of short-term resource-based therapy, a certified trainer of the International Project “Children and War: Healing Techniques”, and the author of advanced training courses for teachers on the specifics of working with internally displaced persons. She has experience working as a practical psychologist in a military enlistment office, school, college, and children’s sanatorium. Currently, Oksana is the head of the Center for Psychological Support of Pedagogical Workers of Vocational Education Institutions at the Institute of Vocational Education of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine and is a PhD student at the same institute (her work is devoted to the development of the professional culture of practical psychologists).

The training session addressed the issues of replenishing personal resources of teachers; types of personal resources, methods of their preservation and development; diagnostics of interpersonal exchange of emotional resources; energy management as a method of psycho-emotional stabilization of the individual.

The trainer paid special attention to emotional stabilization in modern everyday life: breathing and meditation techniques, mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation techniques. With the help of methodological materials, the attendees learned practical skills to strengthen their own resilience in the face of prolonged stress, to recharge their batteries with positive energy, and to learn useful practices to support each other.

The event was full of practical tasks, techniques and exercises aimed at helping participants distance themselves from negative thoughts, communicate with loved ones, take active action and make informed choices.

Thanks to Oksana Lapa, the participants of the training learned about recovery and resource filling, how to overcome crisis and unpredictable life situations, and realized that they have a powerful potential and a huge resource to help themselves. And the knowledge and skills gained during the training will make them even more resilient to daily challenges and trials.

We sincerely thank Oksana Lapa for her cooperation, effective tools for our own psycho-emotional support and effective professional activity!

14.11.2024