A safe space for parents amid crisis in Ukraine
Since its launch in April 2024, the mobile mental health clinic in Kharkiv, a SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine initiative supported by SOS Children’s Villages Canada and Canadian partners, is positively impacting the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Ukrainians affected by the war.
This story is shared by Ksenia, a psychologist at the mobile mental health clinic in Kharkiv, working closely with a group of parents every week near a local kindergarten.
While their children participated in sessions with a child psychologist, these parents used the time to recover emotionally and build skills to better understand themselves and their children. These sessions quickly became an essential outlet for the parents.
Each session provided a safe, welcoming space where parents’ fears and worries were acknowledged. In this supportive environment, they realized they were not alone in their struggles, especially when facing the unique challenges of parenting during a crisis. The shared experiences fostered a sense of community and mutual understanding, helping parents find strength in one another.
Psycho-emotional support activities
The sessions included a variety of psycho-emotional support exercises designed to empower parents:
Wheel of balance: This exercise encouraged parents to assess and balance their roles as parents, partners, and individuals.
Tree of life: This activity helped parents reflect on their strengths and past challenges, boosting their confidence and resilience.
- Metaphorical maps and lectures: These tools provided new insights into emotional wellbeing, enabling parents to release the guilt of not being "perfect" and better manage their emotions.
Sharing stories and building connections
As trust grew, parents began to share their struggles openly. One mother spoke about illness in her family, while others shared their challenges with work or relationships. These heartfelt conversations fostered mutual support and deepened the group’s connection.
After two months of sessions, many parents reported significant improvements. They had learned self-regulation techniques and gained a deeper understanding of how their emotions affected their children. They also recognized the importance of emotional intelligence in parenting.
Children do better when parents prioritize their mental health
The final meeting was celebratory and reflective. Parents looked back on their personal growth and left with new knowledge and confidence—essential qualities for navigating the ongoing challenges impacting their lives. When parents take the time to care for their wellbeing, it creates a foundation for a better future for their children.
Emergency response in Ukraine
The mobile mental health clinic in Kharkiv is part of SOS Children’s Villages’ larger emergency response in Ukraine, currently implemented in 9 regions nationwide. With your ongoing support, SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine has provided services to more than 407,000 people during more than two years of war.
We thank the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and the Ptarmigan Charitable Foundation for their generous support.