UNESCO supports Ukraine’s 15,000 school psychologists to improve students’ mental health

"Children in Ukraine have had to become adults too quickly,” says Olena Kravchenko, a school psychologist at Lyceum Collegium in the city of Severodonetsk in Ukraine’s Luhansk region. The Lyceum, a UNESCO Associated School, is currently operating online and, despite the active hostilities, the majority of students manage to attend class.

But their views of life and life priorities have changed. “Some students have problems with sleep, some have anxious behaviours, some have become passive and silent, whilst some have become more aggressive with destructive behaviours”, observes Olena. Together with her colleagues, she tries to build the students’ mental defense, using art and music therapy as well as breathing practices. These techniques have proven effective among the children but are not enough.

UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and with the financial support of the Government of Japan, is implementing a project aiming to support Ukraine’s 15,000 school psychologists. As part of the national campaign for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support led by the First Lady of Ukraine, this project will provide school psychologists opportunities to learn new skills, share experiences, and utilize tools and materials of international standard.

War has a devastating effect on people’s mental health, especially among children as the most vulnerable group. Education plays a crucial role in supporting these children’s well-being, and school psychologists form the front line to protect children’s mental health.

In the city of Lviv, on the other side of the country, school psychologists share similar challenges as Olena.

School psychologists like Olena and Olha need urgent support to develop new skills to meet the psychological needs that have emerged during the war. Despite the difficult situation, they are persistent and committed to supporting learners cope with the situation.

Tatiana Andreeva, a practical psychologist of the Mariinsky Gymnasium in Odesa, believes in the power of talking to help her students restore inner strength to overcome fears and anxieties. “We give students the opportunity to talk about their feelings,” she says. “But we make sure to direct their attention to small victories, strengths, and good news. You can find something positive every day!"

Similarly, in Kyiv, Antonina Danko and her colleagues are encouraging teachers to actively listen and provide a calm space for their students to share their feelings, because "a calm child is a child who has the potential to learn."

Antonina Lysyk works as a practical psychologist at Kamianets-Podilskyi Lyceum No. 1 in the western part of Ukraine. Her school, with a history of 190 years, has been used as a temporary shelter for internally displaced persons. As a young practitioner, Antonina is therefore looking forward to joining the training course that’s being offered by UNESCO. Antonina is hoping to learn about “effective methods for working with children who have lost their loved ones”. The training will also touch upon topics such as practices to promote learning as well as collaboration between family, educational institution and community.

UNESCO is committed to supporting school psychologists, teachers, parents and caregivers to protect children’s mental health and equip them with strong and resilient minds so that they learn to fulfill their talents and contribute to their society.