- Monday, March 2, 2026
An off-site meeting of the university community involved in the All-Ukrainian mental health programme "How Are You?" was held at Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University. This format serves as a traditional platform for professional dialogue, the exchange of experiences and the implementation of best practices among higher education institutions.
The event was attended by Olena Zelenska, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Mykola Trofimenko, Deputy Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Yulia Kyrylova, representatives of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance and the National Qualifications Agency, vice-rectors, heads of psychological services from universities within the “How Are You?” community and experts in the field of mental health.
Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University was represented at the meeting by Iryna Osovska, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, International and Humanitarian Activities, and Oleg Shmanko, Head of the University’s Centre for Veteran Development.
During the event, the findings of a study on the current state of training for non-medical professionals in the field of mental health were presented. Participants analysed the gaps identified and, during a practical workshop, developed strategic solutions to address them — taking into account cross-sectoral collaboration, the updating of educational programmes, and the development of professionals’ competencies.
A separate side event was a meeting between representatives of the project teams from higher education institutions, who had been involved in creating and implementing training programmes for "Peer to peer" counsellors, and the graduates of the first cohort. Participants discussed the initial results of the programmes’ implementation and the prospects for scaling up the initiative.
Six new training courses for mental health professionals were also presented during the meeting. These were developed as part of the ‘How Are You?’ programme in accordance with international standards and professional requirements:
"Prevention of risky behaviour among young people";
"Trauma-informed approach";
"Adolescence: a guide for adults";
"Mental health legislation: a guide for professionals";
"Stress-free motherhood and parenthood: a course for professionals";
"Basic communication skills for providers of psychosocial support".
The project was implemented with the support of the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” programme, funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden.
The implementation of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme "How Are You?" is overseen by the Coordination Centre for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, with expert support from the World Health Organisation.
