The All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program "How Are You?" ("Ти як?") is an initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, designed to build a high-quality and accessible psychosocial support system for all citizens amidst the full-scale war and post-war recovery.
Main Premise:
Over 70–80% of Ukrainians experience constant stress or anxiety due to the war; however, the majority do not seek professional help. The program aims to overcome this barrier and teach society self-help techniques.
Scope:
Encompasses systemic changes across the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Social Policy, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and local communities.
Program Goal:
To foster a culture of caring for mental health as an equal component of overall well-being alongside physical health within Ukrainian society, and to provide accessible and quality psychosocial assistance for every citizen.
Key Objectives:
- Developing self-help skills: teaching Ukrainians simple tools and techniques to cope with stress, anxiety, and emotional burnout;
- Destigmatizing psychological help: dispelling stereotypes about reaching out to psychologists or psychotherapists and normalizing conversations about one's emotional state;
- Primary healthcare worker training: preparing family doctors and general practitioners under the WHO mhGAP program to deliver basic mental health support at the outpatient level;
- Integration into education and the social sector: introducing mental health courses for educators, schoolchildren, social workers, police officers, and rescuers;
- Interagency coordination: consolidating resources from government institutions, international partners (WHO, UNICEF), and non-governmental organizations.