The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, visited a hospital in the Dnipro region to learn about the work of the “Povernennia” Mental Health Center, which began operating last month.
The Center provides comprehensive psychological assistance to people suffering from stress, anxiety and depressive disorders, PTSD, and adjustment disorders.
“‘Povernennia’ is a major reinforcement for the entire mental health program being implemented across the country. Because we want mental health support to reach the whole nation and be as close as possible to every individual,” Olena Zelenska noted.
The First Lady added that the development of a national network of mental health centers is part of the Ministry of Health’s project under the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”.
In addition, Olena Zelenska visited the Resilience Center of the Petrykivka village community. This is one of 228 centers where services are tailored to individual needs. Here, they provide individual and group psychological consultations, stress and physical tension relief sessions, developmental activities for children, and peer support groups. Over 1,300 residents of the community have already used the center’s services.
The First Lady also visited the exhibition hall of the Petrykivka painting at the village council. Since 2023, exhibition artists have been supporting mental health by travelling with workshops to wounded warriors undergoing rehabilitation in medical facilities of the region.
“The artists say the most touching moment is when even the most reluctant and initially skeptical students make their first brushstroke and their faces light up with a smile of delight. It means the healing power of tradition and art begins to work. This is the uniqueness of the ‘How Are You?’ program — not only creating new opportunities for mental health support but also recognizing the resource we already have in our heritage,” Olena Zelenska concluded.