First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in an extended meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council on Mental Health Protection and Provision of Psychological Assistance to Victims of the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Together with Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Head of the Coordination Center for Mental Health at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Oksana Zbitnieva, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Inna Yashchuk, the President’s wife visited the Main Medical Clinical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and spoke with its staff about the work of the mental health department.
This is a pilot project, launched at the Medical and Psychological Rehabilitation Department. In almost three years of its operation, more than 2,500 defenders from the Ministry of Internal Affairs system have received help here, including those who survived captivity.
The Department now regularly conducts psychoeducational activities and provides recreation areas as well as a sports ground.
“I thank all the specialists of the Department for physical and mental protection. As both are equally essential for life,” the First Lady said.
In addition, Olena Zelenska, together with Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi, Head of the Coordination Center for Mental Health at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Oksana Zbitnieva, Head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration Mykola Kalashnyk, and his deputy Zhanna Osypenko, visited the Plast Training Center in Bucha.
This institution is part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” which, in addition to training, hosts workshops, consultations, and art therapy sessions for children, young people, veterans, and their families.
The center’s sports area is also part of the President of Ukraine’s program “Active Parks,” created to ensure that as many Ukrainians as possible can do sports free of charge. Overall, 1,500 sites across different regions of Ukraine have already joined the initiative, with more than 4 million people taking part in various activities.
“Sports and exercise are among the methods recognized by psychologists for coping with stress and anxiety. And every Ukrainian, whether adult or child, can see this for themselves by joining Active Parks, Plast, or other active and meaningful leisure,” the First Lady concluded.