The first meeting of the “6 Conversations About Resilience” project took place in Ivano-Frankivsk. Twenty-nine participants gathered in Taras Shevchenko City Park to discuss and share their experiences of living through the war, according to Alona Moroziuk, assistant project manager of the “League of the Strong.”
“The meeting produced incredible results! When we saw such a large turnout, we realized that this was truly needed, and we are doing important work. Simple conversations and finding like-minded people for people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and war veterans are crucial,” added Alona Moroziuk.
Participants shared their experiences of the war and their personal victories amidst the larger conflict. They also discussed self-care and mental health in the context of prolonged danger.
“We made new friends. We talked to each other. We shared our experiences, learned new things, and took a lot of notes,” shared one participant.
During the practical part, each group member analyzed different aspects of their lives and created a balance wheel. This technique helps assess the state of important life areas and understand what needs improvement.
“The meeting had a warm, family-like atmosphere. We are happy that we were able to take a step closer to victory and build an atmosphere of trust, kickstarting support groups,” noted Olha Maksymovych, regional coordinator of the “League of the Strong,” director of the Carpathian Institute of Analytics “FrankoLytics,” and associate professor.
According to the organizers, these meetings aim to create a safe space for people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, veterans, and their families to support each other and build resilience. The project operates on a self-help group model. Through peer-to-peer interaction, people can develop coping mechanisms and overcome challenges in an understanding environment.
The next meeting will take place on October 6th, where participants will discuss how to support caregivers of people with disabilities and create a safe space for them. To participate in this or future events, please register via the link.
The meetings are free and open to all residents in need of psychological support, including people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, veterans, and their families. The events are held in-person in Ivano-Frankivsk.
The “6 Talks on Resilience” project is implemented within the Empower Ukraine project with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), CBM, and the European Disability Forum.