The experience of working with children who have lived through war is important not only to apply in practice, but also to study and document. That is why we are glad to share the experience of implementing the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme, presented in a scientific article published in the international journal Social Work & Society.

The article, “The Ukrainian Experience of Implementing the ‘Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques’ Programme During the Russo-Ukrainian War,” was authored by Iryna Sukhova, a specialist at HOPE worldwide Ukraine. The publication describes the experience of implementing the programme in Ukraine since 2014 and how its work has changed following the beginning of the full-scale war.

Over the years, the programme has developed from its first groups for children affected by the war in eastern Ukraine into large-scale work across different regions of the country. After 2022, there was a need to work in conditions of ongoing danger, mass displacement, and family separation. As a result, groups have been conducted not only offline, but also online and in blended formats.

The article includes not only statistics, but also practical observations from specialists. It describes the reactions children may experience after traumatic events, how group sessions are structured, and what skills children can use in their everyday lives.

According to the data presented in the study, during the first three years of the full-scale war, 12,121 children and 3,727 parents participated in the programme, while 1,534 trainers gained experience implementing the methodology. The programme continues to operate in Ukraine and beyond, helping children and families access psychological support even in wartime conditions.

The results described in the article also show positive changes in children’s psycho-emotional state after completing the programme, including reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved sleep and social adaptation, and a decrease in symptoms related to traumatic memories, heightened tension, and avoidance.

For us, it is important that the practical experience of Ukrainian specialists becomes part of professional scientific discussion. This allows us not only to share what we do, but also to document and systematise the experience of providing psychological support to children during the war.

We continue our work, build on our experience, and share it with the professional community.

Read the full article in Social Work & Society.

👉 http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:464-2605081959565.313062363665

From August 11 to 13, trainers from the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project, Iryna Sukhova and Yana Serhieieva, took part in a project organized by LUkraine and conducted an online seminar for the team of psychologists and instructors of the Gora LUkraine camp.

During the seminar, the specialists introduced the camp team to the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme and discussed approaches to implementing it with children who have experienced the trauma of war and the loss of a loved one.

The camp will welcome families of fallen Heroes of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” — mothers and children. The programme will provide psychological support aimed at helping them cope with the consequences of loss and supporting their emotional and psychological recovery.

Preparing the team of psychologists and instructors is an important part of organizing this work. During the seminar, participants had an opportunity to learn about the approaches and techniques used in the programme, which help create a safe environment for children, support them in processing their experiences, and develop skills for coping with stress.

The “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme is designed to support children affected by war in understanding their emotions, working with traumatic memories, and learning practical self-help techniques.

For HOPE worldwide Ukraine, it is important not only to provide psychological support groups directly, but also to share the programme’s experience with specialists working with children and families affected by the war.

Such partnerships help bring together professional experience and create additional opportunities for psychological support for Ukrainian children and their families.

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In July and August, a cycle of psychological support sessions based on the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme was completed in Vinnytsia as part of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project.

The participants were children who had experienced displacement, lived through hostilities, or were from military families. The sessions took place at a collective accommodation facility for internally displaced people in Vinnytsia. 

The sessions focused on helping children better understand their emotional state and develop practical techniques for coping with the effects of war-related stress. An important part of the work involved addressing difficult memories and learning ways to respond to strong emotions.

According to the trainers, the children’s attitudes toward difficult memories gradually changed throughout the sessions. While these memories initially triggered strong emotional reactions, after learning and practising the techniques, participants were able to respond to them with less emotional distress.

One example of this change was a girl who had been forced to move from Kherson to Vinnytsia with her mother. Her father serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which caused her to worry about him and experience frightening dreams. At the beginning of the sessions, she was passive and spoke very little. Over time, she became more open to communication, made friends, and participated more actively in the exercises. By the end of the programme, the trainers observed an improvement in her overall emotional and psychological state.

Participation in the programme gives children an opportunity not only to receive support during the sessions, but also to develop techniques that they can use in everyday life. These skills can help them cope with fear, anxiety, emotional tension, and difficult memories.

The cycle of sessions in Vinnytsia was part of the work of HOPE worldwide Ukraine to expand access to psychological support and practical recovery tools for children affected by the war.

We thank our partners for the opportunity to continue this work and support children who need psychological assistance.

About the Project

“Helping Hand for Ukraine” is a charitable project of HOPE worldwide Ukraine through which children and young people receive psychological support based on the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme.

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This project was created by HOPE worldwide Ukraine thanks to a grant from the Children’s Resilience Fund: Providing Capacity Building and Funding to Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations in Ukraine. The programme is implemented by Crown Agents Ukraine and Integrity Action. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of Integrity Action and Crown Agents in Ukraine.

As part of the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme, project trainers conducted two online psychological support groups for applicants to Bukovinian State Medical University.

The participants were young people who had experienced displacement or whose parents are serving on the front line. For these participants, the circumstances of war directly affect their emotional well-being and everyday lives, adding psychological pressure to an already important period of preparation and admission to higher education.

During the groups, participants learned techniques aimed at coping with the effects of war-related stress, regulating emotional tension, and restoring internal resources.

The online format made psychological support accessible regardless of the participants’ location.

These groups are part of the project’s ongoing efforts to expand access to psychological support for children and young people affected by the war.

The “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme helps participants develop practical skills that can be used for self-help and coping with stress in everyday life.

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The “Lisova Pisnia” children’s camp has completed a series of sessions based on the “Children and War: Learning Healing Techniques” program.

Over the course of two weeks, the children had the opportunity to talk about their experiences in a safe and supportive environment, better understand their emotions, and learn how to cope with stress and anxiety.

An important part of the program was learning practical self-regulation and recovery techniques that children can use not only during the sessions but also in their everyday lives — whenever they experience tension, fear, anxiety, or emotional overload.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be there for the children during this time and to help them take another step toward emotional recovery and psychological resilience.

“Children and War: Learning Healing Techniques” is about more than just the sessions. It is about skills that stay with children and can support them during difficult moments.

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The “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charitable Foundation continues its cooperation with the Children’s Resilience Fund: Providing Capacity Building and Funding to Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations in Ukraine, implemented by Crown Agents Ukraine and Integrity Action.

Our partnership began in 2024 and has become an important source of support for the development of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project — a psychological support programme for children who have experienced the traumatic effects of war.

Through this cooperation, we have been able to continue delivering the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” groups, expand the geographical reach of our work, and help children and adolescents develop practical skills for coping with fear, anxiety, stress, and other consequences of traumatic experiences.

During the new phase of the project, running from July 2026 to March 2027, “HOPE worldwide” Ukraine plans to provide psychological support to 768 children across Ukraine through 64 therapeutic groups based on the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” methodology.

The partnership that began in 2024 is continuing and remains an important part of the project’s implementation. During this time, we have seen the importance of creating safe spaces for children, providing psychological support, and introducing practical tools that contribute to restoring emotional balance. The continuation of this cooperation allows us to expand the programme’s reach and provide support to more children in communities across Ukraine, contributing to their psychological resilience and supporting their families.

The “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme is based on an international methodology developed by specialists from the United Kingdom and Norway. It is designed to address the consequences of traumatic experiences and develop self-help skills. Children learn to better understand their emotions, cope with stress and fear, and use techniques that can continue to support them after the group sessions have ended.

Today, the need for this kind of support remains extremely high. The war continues to affect children’s emotional well-being, regardless of where they live — whether in communities directly affected by hostilities or in communities that have welcomed internally displaced families.

That is why we plan to continue working together with our partners, expanding children’s access to psychological support and helping them develop skills that can remain with them for years to come.

We are grateful to the Children’s Resilience Fund, Crown Agents Ukraine, and Integrity Action for their trust, support, and partnership. Together, we continue working to strengthen the psychological resilience of children across Ukraine.

This project was created by “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” thanks to a grant received from the Children’s Resilience Fund: Providing Capacity Building and Funding to Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations in Ukraine. The programme is implemented by Crown Agents Ukraine and Integrity Action. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of Integrity Action and Crown Agents in Ukraine.

Psychological support groups are currently being held at the “Emerald City” children’s camp in Orynyn for children from Ukraine’s Donetsk region who have experienced the impacts of war and forced displacement.

A total of six support groups are being conducted, bringing together 80 children from communities across the Donetsk region. The sessions are led by two pairs of trainers from our foundation: Serhii Serhieiev and Yana Serhiieva, as well as Larysa Sushko and Zhanna Tiatkova. During the sessions, they use the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” (Teaching Recovery Techniques – TRT) program, which helps children better understand their emotions, cope with difficult experiences, reduce anxiety, and build inner resilience.

The children come from communities that continue to endure daily attacks and remain under constant threat due to the ongoing war. For many of them, living with air raid alerts and shelling has become part of everyday life. That is why spending time in a safe environment, receiving emotional support, and learning healthy ways to cope with their feelings is so important.

Throughout the sessions, the trainers create a safe and supportive space where every child feels comfortable sharing their experiences, expressing emotions, and realizing they are not alone. The children also learn practical self-help techniques that they can continue using after returning home to better manage stress and anxiety.

To encourage creativity and provide a positive reminder of their experience, each child received an art kit filled with creative supplies and small gifts to inspire joyful activities at home.

Psychological support cannot change the circumstances children face, but it can help restore their sense of safety, rebuild trust in the world around them, and strengthen their ability to move forward. That is why these support groups are such an important part of helping children grow and heal during wartime.

These groups are made possible through a project funded by generous donors from around the world who contributed via the GlobalGiving platform. We sincerely thank everyone whose support allows us to stand beside children when they need it most.

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Our Foundation’s Chief Psychologist and Head of the Helping Hand for Ukraine project, Iryna Sukhova, together with the project’s psychologist and supervisor, Nataliia Podoliak, participated in the 39th International Congress on Law and Mental Health—one of the leading international forums dedicated to mental health, human rights, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Congress was held at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Canada, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and representatives of civil society organizations from around the world.

During the Congress, they presented our Foundation’s many years of experience in providing psychological support to children, adults, families, and communities affected by the war in Ukraine. Conference participants were introduced to research findings based on the Foundation’s practical work, as well as scientific publications prepared by our team. Special attention was given to how the organization’s long-standing practical experience has served as the foundation for developing effective psychological support programs and advancing evidence-informed research.

Participation in the Congress provided an important opportunity to share Ukraine’s experience with the international professional community, discuss contemporary approaches to supporting mental health in the context of war and humanitarian crises, and strengthen professional networks for future collaboration.

For our Foundation, participating in this prestigious international event represents significant recognition of our team’s long-term commitment to combining direct psychological support, scientific research, and the implementation of evidence-based approaches to mental health care.

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Our Foundation’s trainers, Iryna Sukhova and Yana Serhieieva, took part in a training project for professionals from multidisciplinary mobile teams who work daily with children and families in remote communities across the Sumy region.

Over the course of three days, 24 participants learned practical tools for providing psychological support to children through the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program. Alongside the training, participants also had an opportunity for restorative self-care, recognizing that professionals who support others every day also need time and space to replenish their own emotional resources.

The Sumy region remains one of the areas of Ukraine that continues to face regular shelling and constant security threats. Despite these difficult conditions, multidisciplinary mobile teams travel to remote communities, support children and families, organize safe spaces for children and adolescents, and help them regain a sense of care, stability, and psychological safety.

Their work is demanding, emotionally exhausting, and often carried out in dangerous circumstances, yet it is critically important for the children of the region. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the training of these professionals by sharing practical knowledge and effective psychological support tools. For our Foundation, this is an important contribution to the recovery and rehabilitation of children living through war.

The training was conducted within the framework of the project “Provision of Integrated Child Protection and Social Support Services in Remote Communities of Sumy Region,” implemented by UNICEF and the NGO “Fishing Club of Ukraine” with the support of the governments of the United States, Norway, and Sweden.

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In April and May, “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” online psychological support groups for children from Kramatorsk were conducted within the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project. The groups were facilitated by trainers Yana Serhieieva and Serhii Serhieiev.

The participants were children living in the reality of war, constant anxiety, and uncertainty. For many of them, simply having the opportunity to meet regularly online, see familiar faces, experience support, and feel safe became an important part of their emotional recovery.

For many children in frontline Kramatorsk, the online format has become more than an alternative to in-person meetings — it has been the only safe way to receive regular psychological support. Amid the constant threat of shelling, air raid alerts, and security restrictions, our online groups help ensure continued access to professional assistance and support children’s emotional well-being. Rather than a temporary solution, the online format has become a necessary condition that allows children in a frontline community to receive ongoing psychological support despite the challenging security situation.

During the sessions, children learned to better understand their emotions and cope with anxiety, fear, and worry. Participants were introduced to self-regulation techniques, breathing exercises, safe-place practices, strategies for working through fears, and methods for restoring emotional balance.

The trainers noted that with each session, the children became more open, confident, and engaged in communication. Those who were initially hesitant to speak or afraid of making mistakes gradually began to trust the group more, take initiative, and share their personal experiences.

Particularly meaningful were the moments when children began using the techniques not only during the sessions but also in their everyday lives. One participant learned to independently use the “square breathing” technique when experiencing strong anxiety. Another child started practicing the “safe place” exercise together with their grandmother at home to help manage difficult emotions and regain a sense of calm.

These small steps are incredibly important, as they gradually help children restore a sense of safety, trust, and inner resilience even under difficult life circumstances.

We sincerely thank the trainers for their attentiveness, compassion, and support, as well as every child for their trust, courage, and willingness to embrace the path toward healing and recovery.

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