Meeting of the university community of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme “How Are You?”
On 27 February 2026, a meeting of the university community of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme “How Are You?” took place at Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University. The off-site meeting, which is a traditional format for exchanging experience and best practices among the higher education community, was attended by Olha Melnyk, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Social Development, and Zakharina Marina, Head of the Centre for Inclusive Education and Associate Professor of the Department of Social Work.
The event was attended by the initiator of the programme, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska; Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofimenko; representatives of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance and the National Qualifications Agency; vice-rectors and heads of psychological services from universities in the “How Are You?” community; as well as experts in the field of mental health. During the meeting, attendees were briefed on the findings of a study on the training of non-medical professionals in the field of mental health, and six new educational courses https://share.google/HdAmd2HbRbOxfVzem zem for mental health professionals were presented. These courses were developed by “How Are You?” in accordance with international standards and taking into account professional needs:
- · “Prevention of risky behaviour among young people”
- · “Trauma-informed approach”
- · “Adolescence: a guide for adults”
- · “Mental health legislation: a guide for professionals”
- · “Stress-free motherhood and parenthood: a course for professionals”
- · “Basic communication skills for providers of psychosocial support”.
As a reminder, two years ago, Chernihiv Polytechnic National University joined the All-Ukrainian mental health support programme “How are you?”. Participation in this programme underscores the importance of developing systematic support for students and fostering a culture of care for mental health within the university environment.
The project was implemented with the support of the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” programme, funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden. The implementation of the All-Ukrainian mental health programme “How are you?” is overseen by the Coordination Centre for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, with expert support from the World Health Organisation.
