Your story needs to be heard: as part of the communication campaign ‘How are you? Resilience’ campaign, a special project “Resilience Diaries” was launched for Ukrainians
When Ukrainians ask each other: ‘How are you?’, they often hear the answer: ‘Hanging in there’. After all, despite the darkness around us, we choose to keep the light inside us every day. And everyone will be able to share what helps them not to give up in the special project ‘Resilience Diaries’. It was launched as part of the communication campaign ‘How are you? Resilience’ communication campaign of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme, an initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, in partnership with Public Broadcasting and Ukrainian Radio.
‘Resilience Diaries’ - healing and healing through words
Our strength is in the stories we keep inside us. It's time to turn them into words. After all, writing is one of the most effective methods of self-therapy that improves mental and physical health, helps to cope with the experience, and reduces the overall level of stress. By reflecting on your experiences, you can reset your internal compass and find the resources to move on.
Ukrainians are invited to share in the Resilience Diaries what helps them recover and regain motivation. What everyday small joys and traditions become great values and help to ‘stay afloat’. How to activate beneficial thinking as a component of the resilience formula and an important resource for mental health. Because if you focus on solutions, problems have no chance of overwhelming you. And controlling emotions is a real superpower.
The main thing about the Resilience Diaries
The special project is being implemented as part of the communication campaign ‘How are you? Resilience’ communication campaign of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme, an initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, in partnership with Public Broadcasting and Ukrainian Radio.
The special project is part of a thematic wave of the campaign dedicated to one of the five components of resilience - beneficial thinking (how I think and what thoughts I communicate affects each of us). The practice of healthy thinking is to write about your experiences, which is what Ukrainians are encouraged to do in the Resilience Diaries.
The special project was launched on 25 October 2024 immediately after the Radio Dictation of National Unity. Ukrainians around the world were able to stop for a minute, reflect and share their stories.
Each story has unique power
‘The Resilience Diaries were created to make the voices of Ukrainians heard and to bring personal stories together into a national mosaic of resilience.
It is worth noting that the unique experience of one person can become a support for another. Those who are currently feeling confused and in need of support can be inspired by the stories of others and receive a boost of warm motivation.
‘What do Ukrainians do after another sleepless night? They take their children to school and kindergarten. They go to work. Some have an important test at university. Someone is gathering a company today to weave camouflage nets for the frontline. The stories of Ukrainians' resilience are among us, even in our everyday lives. And no matter what happens to us (good or bad), it is important to comprehend and write it down: literally, with a pen on paper. This is an effective mental practice. Also, if you share your story of resilience, it can become a support for someone,’ said Oksana Zbitneva, Head of the Coordination Centre for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
How to join the Resilience Diaries
Anyone can join the project. To do this, you need to upload your story to the special page ‘Resilience Diaries’ on the platform ‘How are you?’ platform of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme. In addition, you can share this page on social media, so your friends will know about the online archive and will be able to share their emotions and experiences.
The main thing to remember is that there are no unimportant stories. Ukrainians are encouraged to share stories about what really inspires them: a hug from their family, a meeting with friends, or a cat that lives in a ground-floor apartment and looks out onto the street, making them feel good for the whole day. A favourite latte at a coffee shop near home. After all, it is the daily moments of joy that help us to stay strong and live.
Join the special project and let your story become part of the national support network.
