On February 26–27, 2026, a large-scale two-day webinar titled “Psychological Resilience and Well-Being of the University Community” was held. The event was organized by the Centers of the BURN Project with the financial support of the European Union. It brought together specialists from the departments of psychology, development, and counseling of five Ukrainian universities to exchange experience in creating a safe and supportive environment for students and staff of higher education institutions in the context of war and (post-)war recovery.
The webinar was opened by Iryna Zadorozhna, who presented the concept of the BURN Project and introduced participants to the experience of similar psychological centers operating at leading EU universities. It was emphasized that the key objective of the initiative is to strengthen the psychological resilience of university communities and to establish a sustainable system of mental health support.
During the first day, the activities of the BURN Centers were presented as a comprehensive approach to preserving and restoring psychological resources. In particular, the following areas were highlighted:
- Individual support — systematic work aimed at identifying needs and providing personalized counseling for students and staff;
- Support groups — ongoing therapeutic groups for students as well as specialized groups for wives and partners of military personnel;
- Trauma-informed approach — implementation of a 16-hour weekend training program for university staff to develop skills for working with students affected by war;
- Psychoeducation — fostering a high level of psychological awareness and culture within the university environment;
- Technological resources and work with resource states.
A virtual tour of the Centers generated particular interest, showcasing modern equipment for resource recovery: neurostimulators and VR technologies for deep relaxation, EMDR therapy tools for processing traumatic experiences, sensory boards, and sand therapy techniques for emotional stabilization.
Representatives of Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University — Kateryna Bondar, Tetiana Shevchenko, and Olha Charyieva — shared their experience in developing a psychological support system in cooperation with профиль institutions, particularly the Veteran Kryvyi Rih Center. Representatives of Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University — Valentyna Vovk and Olha Lohvys — also contributed to the discussion.
The second day of the webinar focused on practical tools for facilitating support groups, intervision formats, and techniques for effective interaction through the lens of the trauma-informed approach.
Olesia Yesina and Ella Yeminova presented the experience of the Center for Psychological Resilience and Well-Being at Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University, highlighting the implementation of innovative approaches in support and intervision groups. Tetiana Borozenzeva outlined techniques for effective interaction with students who have experienced trauma, emphasizing the importance of empathy, predictability, safety, and a supportive educational environment.
The program concluded with the presentation “From Relocation to Community: Psychological Support Tools” by Marina Pochekta and Liudmyla Tyor from Kherson State University, which introduced practices for fostering a sense of belonging, restoring social connections, and strengthening cohesion within university teams.
The two-day webinar confirmed that systematic, research-based, and interuniversity cooperation is key to building a resilient, cohesive, and psychologically safe academic community. The teams of the University Centers, composed of experienced psychotherapists and counselors, continue to provide professional rehabilitation services and guidance, creating a secure space of support and trust.
#MentalHealth #TraumaTherapy #HigherEducation #Ukraine #BURNProject #ArtTherapy #UniversityCounseling