On May 22, 2025, the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” hosted the third art therapy session for internally displaced persons, aimed at emotional healing and improving mental well-being.
The event was organised by the academic staff of the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy as part of the Erasmus+ KA220-ADU TRUST project: Trauma of refugees in Europe: An approach through art therapy as a solidarity program for Ukraine war victims (Grant Agreement No. 2024-BE01-KA220-ADU-000257527).
The project title is decoded as follows:
TRUST
T – Trauma
R – Refugees
U – Ukraine
S – Solidarity
T – Therapy
The project is co-funded by the EU and led by the Centre Neuro Psychiatrique St-Martin from Belgium, in partnership with the National University «Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic» (Ukraine), Greek Carers Network EPIONI (Greece), Fondazione Don Luigi Di Liegro (Italy), Lekama Foundation (Luxembourg), EuroPlural Project (Portugal).
This art therapy session was designed to create a safe space for expressing emotions, reducing internal stress, and exploring personal resources. Facilitators and moderators of the event were lecturers from the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy:
- Dr. Kira Sedykh, Professor, Doctor of Psychology
- Lesia Klevaka, Acting Head of Department, PhD in Pedagogy, Associate Professor
- Viktoriia Shevchuk, PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor
The specialists emphasised the importance of taking care of mental health during wartime, the ability to identify emotions in time, recognise stressors, and activate inner resources to cope with psychological challenges.
The event gathered students from various fields and years of study who are internally displaced. They could freely express their feelings and explore art therapy as a means of emotional relief.
The practical part included an art therapy exercise called “Relationships”, aimed at reflecting on connections with loved ones, the community, and the country. Participants created symbolic artistic representations of their vision of harmonious relationships in society, family, and personal life.
The event occurred in a cosy, supportive environment that encouraged emotional renewal. Participants could relax in reclining massage chairs accompanied by music therapy – a technique that effectively reduces anxiety, stabilises mood, and restores inner balance.
At the end of the session, participants discussed their emotional experiences. They noted that such activities help reduce stress and foster a sense of support, mutual understanding, and trust within the group.
Once again, the event confirmed that art is a powerful tool of healing and solidarity, especially in times when words cannot fully express the depth of human experience.
The theme of the second session was “Draw Your Mental Health”, while the first session included two art therapy exercises: “Draw Your Coat of Arms” and “The Tree of Meanings”.
Media Centre of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
