Mental Health: A Global Priority for Ukraine and Beyond
Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, participated in an event focused on mental health during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
In her speech, she shared insights into launching the National Mental Health Program, designed to support Ukrainians facing challenges due to Russian aggression.
According to her, the primary goal of the program is to make psychological support accessible to the population. Over 120,000 Ukrainian family doctors have completed WHO training, and more than 300 resilience centers are currently operating. Schools have introduced ‘Happiness Lessons’ to teach children about emotions and provide necessary support.
“We launched an awareness campaign that convinced society that caring for mental health is not shameful but responsible and right. The result: while in 2022, 46% of Ukrainians stated they would never consult a psychologist, that figure has now dropped to 22%,” she noted.
She emphasized that mental health is a global challenge, as significant as poverty, climate change, or rising prices.
“At the 77th World Health Assembly, together with the Netherlands, we initiated a resolution that establishes mental health as a key priority before, during, and after emergencies. This is based on our experience, and we wish for our trials to contribute to global resilience,” the President's wife stated.
Addressing the international community, the First Lady called for prioritizing mental health.
“Make it a part of daily life and care. Because it is not a luxury. It is a condition for survival and a future for every nation. We know this for sure,” Olena Zelenska concluded.
