Project
“Helping Hand
for Ukraine”
Project “Helping Hand for Ukraine”
PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY FOR CHILDREN IN WARTIME
Project “Helping Hand for Ukraine”
Implementation period: 2015 – ongoing
The international charitable project “Helping Hand for Ukraine” was launched in 2015 thanks to the partnership with the “HOPE worldwide Canada” charitable organization.
Project Objectives
– Improving the psycho-emotional well-being and psychological condition of children and adults who have experienced traumatic events of war (2015 – ongoing);
– Providing humanitarian assistance to families in crisis (2015–2023);
– Reconstruction of destroyed housing for families affected by hostilities (2022–2023).
Research shows that the mental health consequences of war last longer than the conflict itself.
Children who have experienced hostilities may suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression even years later (Child Abuse & Neglect, 2025). The “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project addresses these challenges by using the methodology “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques,” an effective approach to overcoming war-related trauma in children and adults. Within the framework of the project, research is also conducted on the impact of war on human mental health.
Methodology “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques”
The methodology was developed in 1998 by experts from the Institute of Psychiatry in London (United Kingdom) and the Center for Crisis Psychology in Bergen (Norway). It was tested after earthquakes in Greece, Turkey, China, and Iran, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, as well as in conflict regions in Africa, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine. The manual was translated into Ukrainian and adapted by experts from the Ukrainian Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Lviv, Ukraine). The “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project has used this methodology in its work with children and adults since 2015. This methodology supports the development of skills to cope with traumatic experiences through self-help techniques, relaxation and recovery tools in conditions of intense war-related stress. In addition, it aims to reduce anxiety levels and prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other long-term complications.
Effectiveness of the methodology:
0% retraumatization during group sessions;
90% of participants report improved psycho-emotional well-being and ability to cope with post-traumatic stress;
100% of participants begin to feel safe and relaxed within the group.
Learn more about our Child Safeguarding Policy.
Key results
of the project
2200+
specialists trained in the methodology “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques”
2300+
therapy courses delivered in 150+ cities and villages across Ukraine since the beginning of the war
20000+
people received humanitarian aid, 120+ destroyed homes were restored
26000+
children and adults have acquired psychological self-help skills during wartime
100+
partner organizations implementing the program for children across Ukraine
1800+
children participated in 16 summer camps for rest, recovery and psychological health support
NEWS
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Testimonials
