The delegation of the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design, represented by Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Cooperation, and Tetyana Sinkevich, Head of the Primary Trade Union of Students, took part in the event “Universities in the “How Are You?” Ecosystem” - an important event within the framework of the All-Ukrainian program on mental health “How Are You?”, initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

The program is aimed at forming a culture of caring for mental health, developing an effective support system in the educational environment, and raising awareness among young people and educators.

During the opening of the event, as the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska noted: “The university becomes an environment where, like in a newly opened box of puzzles, very different experiences are mixed. Which can either confront, if we do not care about ecological interaction, or heal from each other, be a place of strength and fostering resilience,” the first lady emphasized.

“Currently, higher education institutions unite up to a million students and about one hundred thousand scientific and pedagogical workers. More than thirty HEIs had to be relocated to other cities due to Russian aggression.”

In February, “How are you?” conducted a survey among teachers and students of 29 higher education institutions. Almost every third teacher has signs of hidden burnout. 16% have signs of burnout, which manifest themselves through emotional detachment, cynicism, and disappointment. Another 18% are prone to avoiding work tasks, procrastination, and loss of motivation. And only 35% believe that they can cope with stress. The survey among students showed that about 52% need intervention of varying degrees of intensity.

The participants of the meeting, rectors, vice-rectors and leaders of student self-government, emphasized that it is important to continue to deploy psychological assistance in HEIs. Psychological services are already functioning in 97% of institutions. Mental health centers, interactive spaces "Caring for Yourself", youth centers, student development centers, co-working spaces operate on the basis of a number of higher education institutions, and they also conduct psychological workshops, organize support groups, art therapy classes, creative clubs, etc.

"A university is not only about professional training. It is a space where mental health and psychosocial support services are provided, where the resilience of both teachers and students is fostered. Self-care skills and psychoeducation should become a component of the training of specialists of any profile," noted Oksana Zbitneva, head of the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Among the main topics:

- Speech by futurologist Andriy Dligach on the connection between mental health and economic development;

- Panel discussion on the role of universities in forming a culture of psychological support;

- Presentation of a UNICEF study on the attitude of Ukrainians to mental health;

- Lecture on collective trauma and the culture of memory;

- Workshop on the formation of positive coping strategies.

- Based on the results of the workshop, Vice-Rector Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko presented a model of support for scientific and pedagogical employees who have signs of burnout with a toolkit and a set of design solutions for forming a culture of positive coping strategies, the main steps of its implementation at the university.

More about the event :https://www.president.gov.ua/news/olena-zelenska-zakladi-vishoyi-osviti-ukrayini-mayut-stati-h-96945

03.04.2025