Supporting Students' Mental Health: Initiatives in Odessa
In November, a series of events aimed at supporting students' mental health took place in education institutions in Odessa. These events were part of the nationwide mental health program «How are you?».
For students, activities included: communication sessions and training hours focused on «Maintaining Mental Health. The World of Emotions – Our Resource» and «Mental Health – The Key to a Happy Life»; class hours on «How are you?», «Emotions and Their Impact», «Everything is in Our Hands», «Rules of Friendship»; interactive activities like «World of Emotions», «First Aid Kit»; round tables discussing «Preserving and Restoring Mental Health. Help and Self-Help»; and interactive exercises such as «Mood Diary» and «Support Circle».
Additionally, discussions titled «My Mental Health» were held with students who relocated from temporarily occupied territories, alongside physical activities and collective creative exercises.
Parents and educators participated in the «Safe Space» training sessions. During these discussions, the emotional state of children at the beginning of the school year was addressed. Individual consultations and informational materials regarding the support of children's mental health and their adaptation to learning conditions were also provided.
To ensure access to valuable information and advice on mental health, materials from the «How are you?» program, QR codes with information, and recommendations for parents and educators were published on educational institution websites.
