The wife of the President of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, in an exclusive interview for the first issue of Vogue Ukraine Edition after the start of the full-scale invasion, spoke about the All-Ukrainian mental health program she initiated, the goal of which is to make psychological care as accessible and universal as general medical care.
Another topic of conversation was the activity of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, aimed at humanitarian aid to Ukrainians, restoration of schools and hospitals. April's Vogue Ukraine Edition, the first issue after a one-year hiatus caused by the full-scale invasion, honors prominent Ukrainians from various fields and their contributions to the collective resistance.
"The key not to fall into fatigue and despair is to act," the First Lady emphasized.
Also in April, the NV magazine resumed publication in the monthly format. Its last regular issue was printed on February 24, 2022. In the new issue, Olena Zelenska had a column dedicated to the All-Ukrainian mental health program.
"How are you?" - we ask this question to each other when we do care. And we want and need to hear the answer. And sometimes you want to ask the person you see in the mirror: "How are you?". The person that has changed over a year. "How are you?" is the main question of the All-Ukrainian mental health program. Everything starts with it. The answers will follow - good and bad, complex and simple, scary and inspiring. But "How are you?" is a starting point," the First Lady wrote.
She noted that, according to the results of surveys, more than 90% of Ukrainians during the Russian invasion had manifestations of at least one of the symptoms of an anxiety disorder: "Just imagine: these are nine out of ten people - in transport, in the office, in a store, in a trench . Outwardly, they are mature, balanced, courageous people. Inside, they are traumatized and in need of help. And at the same time, a third of Ukrainians tend to downplay their mental problems as if it’s not appropriate during the war or it’s a "sin to complain". 66% would probably turn to someone, but they don't know where to start."
Olena Zelenska spoke about the development of the All-Ukrainian mental health program, in particular about the training of doctors, rescue workers, employees of Ukrzaliznytsia and other large companies in psychological assistance skills. The First Lady emphasized that it is extremely important for all Ukrainians to learn self-help techniques and make mental health care a daily habit. A separate information campaign is dedicated to this.
"Being “not okay” is also okay. Saying that you are facing a hard time is not a weakness, it is a responsibility. To yourself and the country," the President's wife said.