On December 3, 2024, a round table within the framework of the BURN project was held at Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University in a HyFlex format, bringing together Ukrainian and European partners to discuss the creation of the Psychological Well-being and Resilience Center. The event was attended by Professor Lars Kulhinke (International Psychoanalytic University of Berlin), Dr. Laura Pirsko (University of Latvia), Shapira Razuvaeva (University of Tartu), as well as Vice-Rector Professor Irina Pavlivna Zadorozhna (Ternopil National Pedagogical University), who serves as the project manager at the leading university.

The round table was attended by the project team, including O. Ostroushko, K. Bondar, O.Bilozir, O.Shestopalova, O. Charkina, Z. Miroshnik, O. Kogut, as well as representatives from university departments, such as the social and psychological service, psychology departments, and stakeholders of the university (O. Golubieva, L. Vasyuk, H. Ostinina, N. Tokareva, O. Titova, O. Shilo).

The main topics of discussion were the role of the Center within the university structure and its integration into the academic environment. Vice-Rector Oksana Andriivna Ostroushko shared her vision for the integration of the Center into the overall university structure. It was emphasized that the Center must have unique functions and not duplicate the activities of other units. This is an important aspect of the university’s participation in the state initiative to establish student support centres.

Head of the Department of Practical Psychology, Elena Anatoliivna Charkina, outlined the key functions of the Center, which include:

• psychological support for students and university staff;
• crisis interventions in the context of wartime;
• organizing events to enhance mental health.

Project Manager Kateryna Mykolaivna Bondar presented the innovative programs that will be implemented at the Center, including:

• integration of EDMR methods (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing);
• crisis interventions to stabilize emotional states;
• psychoanalytic approaches for working with ambiguous loss;
• development of protocols for online consultations, including therapy through correspondence and chatting.

The discussion also focused on requests for support from European partners to assist in the development of:

• a Charter for the Center, outlining its operational and organizational principles;
• additional client protocols;
• a system of supervision for master’s students who will be doing their internships at the Center.

A key idea discussed was the creation of a "bridge" between student practice and the practical activities of psychological organizations in the city, particularly humanitarian ones.

This event became a significant step in establishing a unique platform for providing psychological support at the university and in the community.

More information about the project https://burn.kdpu.edu.ua/.