On May 28, the first regional forum of Resilience Centers took place in Zhytomyr, bringing together representatives from 24 communities across Ukraine. The event served as a platform for exchanging experiences, strengthening partnerships, and improving approaches to providing psychosocial support to Ukrainians.
Resilience Centers are an initiative of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, implemented within the framework of the nationwide mental health program “You Are Not Alone” by First Lady Olena Zelenska, in partnership with NGOs. In particular, the Zhytomyr Resilience Center operates with support from the BGV Charity Fund. Each center helps people cope with the traumatic experience of war, adapt to difficult circumstances, and maintain their psycho-emotional well-being.
“Almost 70% of our population reports worsened mental health as a result of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. This initiative — Resilience Centers — was created to build a community that unites us and helps us develop shared values,” said Iryna Postolovska, Deputy Minister of Social Policy for European Integration.
The forum discussed strategies for engaging internally displaced persons, veterans, and families of servicemen, as well as successful practices from various regions.
“In just over a year, the Zhytomyr Resilience Center has served nearly 8,000 people. We launched groups for mothers, military personnel, volunteers, and hold daily individual consultations. All this is thanks to a team of dedicated professionals,” shared Polina Aldoshyna, director of the BGV Charity Fund, which supports the Zhytomyr Center.
The forum became a space for cooperation among representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy, regional and city authorities, and Resilience Center teams. “It is very meaningful that the forum is held in Zhytomyr. Here, people with big hearts gathered to share experiences and support one another. It is important to expand the capacities of such centers throughout Ukraine,” emphasized Vitaliy Bunechko, head of the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration.
Following the forum, a development plan for the network was outlined, including the opening of new Centers — notably in Kyiv.
