In Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kremenchuk, “Spaces of Trust” have been opened — mental health hubs that have become places of support for residents of frontline regions. The hubs have been operating since early 2025. Psychologists, psychotherapists, speech therapists, and spiritual advisors provide free assistance there. They support children, teenagers, and adults alike. All services are individual and group-based.
The project is being implemented by the charitable organization Ukrainian Educational Platform in partnership with the NGOs Light for the World, Beloved Country, and Space of Flame, with the support of the Dutch initiative Kerk in Actie.
According to Iryna Alekseeva, a psychologist from Kremenchuk, mental health is as important a part of life as physical health: “Psychology is about health. In our times, it is extremely important to pay attention to your psycho-emotional state.”
The idea to create “Prostir Dovyry” arose in response to the growing need for psychological assistance during the war. Since the hubs opened, hundreds of people have already received support.
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One striking example is the story of Sasha from Mykolaiv. The boy was three years old when his mother turned to the hub’s specialists. The child hardly spoke and had difficulty interacting with those around him. But after just a few sessions with a speech therapist and child psychologist, Sasha said for the first time, “Mom, I want to play.”
According to Viktoria Shmaykhel, co-founder of the hub in Mykolaiv, the need for such spaces is only growing: “We are convinced every time that this initiative is really necessary. People come here not only for advice, but also for understanding.”
At Prostory Dovyry, you can receive psychological help, attend speech therapy sessions, visit psychotherapy or spiritual conversations, join art therapy, or participate in community training.
As Father Anatoliy Kulish, spiritual advisor to the hub in Kremenchuk, emphasizes, these centers are about real support: “Especially now, when reality tests our strength every day.”
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