"Not all wounds are on the body": how Ukrainian brands support the mental health of children during the war

The Litokryl children's psychological support project from the charitable foundation Rescue Now in partnership with ten Ukrainian love mark brands implemented a large-scale initiative to support the mental health of children affected by the war.

Video stories of children who underwent psychological rehabilitation

Each of the brands — Patrol Police of Ukraine, UkrZoloto, SKELAR, Papaya, byMe, Planeta Kino, Knygolend, Crumb, Ukrposhta and the charity fund "Together for Ukraine" — has created its own video story. The main characters were children who underwent psychological rehabilitation in Litokryl spaces.

As part of the initiative, children appeared in the brands' Instagram accounts in the role of little reporters, stylists, announcers, policemen and "dream auditors". They explored offices, stores, talked with teams, voiced trailers, asked questions and sincerely shared their vision of the world.

"We wanted to give children a day when war gives way to curiosity, creativity and self-belief. Also, show adults how important it is to pay attention to the psychological health of children, because not all wounds are on the body. With this idea, we turned to Ukrainian business — and received extraordinary support," notes Litokryl.

Psychological health of children: why it is important

According to the Elena Zelenskaya Foundation, 44% of Ukrainian children show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. War, evacuation, loss of relatives, life under occupation or constant anxiety - all this leaves a deep mark on the child's psyche.

Litokryl helps children regain a sense of security, trust and joy through new experiences, play and communication. And it is precisely such initiatives that create the conditions for recovery.

"The children who come to us are very different. Someone survived forced deportation to Russia, someone recently moved due to the occupation of their hometown, and someone has been afraid of the dark because of explosions for three years. But all of them are sincere, attentive, open to new experiences, which helps them restore trust in the world and in themselves," says Darya Puzykova, project manager of Litokryl.

Source: freepik

Litokryl Online: so that help is available to every child

Fundraising for the launch of the Litokryl Online platform is also ongoing during the implementation of the initiative. This new format will allow children and parents from any corner of Ukraine to receive a free consultation from a psychologist.

The team is convinced: every child has the right to support, regardless of where he lives - in the capital, a village near the front or in a road due to constant moving.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Litokryl is a free space for the psychological recovery of children who have experienced stressful events related to the war: loss of loved ones, evacuation, occupation, forced deportation to Russia.

The project is implemented by the team of the Rescue Now charity fund, which systematically works with children and families affected by the war.