Two “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” psychological support groups for children and teenagers have recently been completed in Kamianets-Podilskyi by trainers Zhanna Melnyk and Tetiana Kharkova.
Over the course of seven sessions, participants learned to better understand their emotions and work through anxiety, stress, and the effects of traumatic experiences caused by war. A total of 23 children and teenagers took part in the groups, many of whom continue to live under constant stress due to the war, while others have experienced evacuation, displacement, or the loss of their homes.
The trainers shared that the sessions helped children gradually open up, feel safer, and find words for emotions that had previously been difficult to express. For many participants, the group became a safe space where they could talk about fear, grief, and painful memories without judgment or pressure.
One of the participants, Anastasiia, was forced to leave her hometown Mykolaiv because of the war and now lives with her grandmother in Kamianets-Podilskyi. During the sessions, she often spoke about her home, her parents, and the pets she deeply misses. Over time, she discovered her own way of coping with emotions — she began writing a book about her experiences, memories, and dreams.
Another participant, Maksym, initially showed high levels of anxiety and avoided interaction with other children. Gradually, he became more engaged in the group activities and, by the end of the program, was able to say: “Before, the war was always in my head. Now I know how to push it out and make space for dreams again”.
Stories like these remind us how essential psychological support is for children and teenagers during wartime. Even a few safe and supportive meetings can become the beginning of healing, helping children regain trust, emotional stability, and a sense of hope.
Every contribution helps us organize new support groups, create safe spaces for children, and stay close to families exactly when they need it most.
