Creative arts help to enhance youth mental health in Ukraine
As part of the UPSHIFT youth innovation programme, Antonina and her friends are helping young people to boost their mental well-being through creativity
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As a guitarist who hopes to study music at university, 17-year-old Antonina knows how creativity can reduce stress and improve mental health. That is why she has been helping other teenagers in Ukraine to realise its benefits, with the help of a youth innovation programme run by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The UPSHIFT programme offered Antonina, along with her friends Alyona, Anastasia and Lilya, the training, mentoring and resources needed to implement a series of creative events for young people aged 14 to 24 in Balta, an area in the Odeska region.
On offer were creative and therapeutic activities including music and film nights, during which the young participants painted, sang, listened to music, watched and discussed their favourite films. Antonina and her friends also set up a communication club, which matched young people growing up amid the ongoing war with a psychologist.
"After the group meetings, several members of our club turned for individual counselling to a psychologist,” says Antonina. “This shows the importance of our project. We have managed to show young people that it is normal to seek help. Taking care of your mental health improves your quality of life.”
Since they began their project, Antonina and her ‘4You’ team have successfully engaged over 500 young adults. They plan to continue their efforts with art therapy sessions and psychologist-led meetings for the youth in their community.
"UPSHIFT helped each team member to better recognise their strengths,” says Antonina. “Personally, I've discovered how much I enjoy connecting with others and making them happy. Before the programme, a small problem could have thrown me off track. Now, despite the obstacles, I'm confident in finishing tasks.”
Antonina's UPSHIFT wave focused on mental health and was implemented by the ‘Zadzerkallia’ NGO, as part of the nationwide mental health programme ‘How are you?’, led by Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska. The initiative received expert guidance from the Coordination Center of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and is financially supported by UNICEF and the Government of Japan.
