Mental Health Support for Preschoolers in Ukraine

We want to begin with gratitude — to each of you who has believed in the "Healing Forest" and stood by us along the way.

In 2025, the program expanded beyond what we had imagined. 551 education professionals were trained and equipped with the methodology. 5,457 children took part in healing sessions across Ukraine. And through a large-scale awareness campaign — including partnerships with national media — over one million adults discovered the importance of psychological support for preschoolers.

But behind every number is a child. And we want to tell you about one of them.

In a group in Ternopil, there was a boy who never spoke. Not a single word. He would smile, nod, sit beside the others — but always at a distance. His teacher confirmed it: he simply did not communicate.

Week after week, the facilitators passed him the Voice Staff — a simple object, but one that carries a kind of quiet promise: your voice matters here. Week after week, he held it in silence.

Then, around the seventh session, something shifted. The Staff reached him. He looked up — and said, out loud: "Yes."

Just one word. But the room felt it.

The following week, he walked in carrying a small glass jar. Inside: a little grass, and a few toy soldier ants. "I asked my dad to make this for me," he said, and held it up for everyone to see. For several more weeks, he kept bringing new ants and releasing the old ones — his own quiet ritual, offered to the group.

This is what the "Healing Forest" does. Not through pressure, but through patience. Not through instruction, but through trust.

Like the roots of forest trees, our network runs deep. Across six regions of Ukraine — Vinnytsia, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Cherkasy, and Chernivtsi — educators stay connected, exchange ideas, and draw strength from one another. In small groups, children learn to identify their emotions, navigate difficult moments, and find their voice — one session at a time.

A New Chapter — And We Need Your Help

The grant funding that has supported this project is coming to an end. But the "Healing Forest" is not closing — it is stepping into a new phase. Our aim is to transition to self-sustaining funding so this program can continue and reach even more children across Ukraine.

Your support matters now more than ever. Please consider donating — and share our story. Because somewhere out there, there is another child holding a Voice Staff in silence, waiting for the moment they feel safe enough to speak.

The forest is resilient. So are these children. And with you beside us, so are we.

Links:

• External evaluation of the "Healing Forest" program

We want to start by saying a heartfelt thank you.The "Healing Forest" is a specialized methodology designed to build resilience and provide psychological safety, and your support has allowed us to witness life-changing breakthroughs this season.

So we wanted to share some stories of resilience and healing with you. 

One of our young participants, whose father is currently serving in the military, came to the sessions with what facilitators described as an "internal storm." Having overheard far too much about the harsh realities of the frontline, he was paralyzed by fear, wanting to speak but not knowing how. Through the nature-based tasks of the "Healing Forest" like gathering wood and planting trees – the facilitators gave him a sense of agency. By appointing him the "guardian of the campfire," they built a bridge of trust. This responsibility allowed him to finally open up and share the stories that were weighing him down, transforming his silent anxiety into a healing conversation.

In another instance, facilitators worked with a girl who suffered from intense emotional crises. Even the smallest failure, like a mistake in a drawing, would lead to an uncontrollable tantrum. During a moment of frustration while planting a tree, our facilitator introduced her to the "Tree" breathing exercise. In just 30 seconds, she learned to regulate her own emotions. This is the core of our work: giving children practical tools they can use for the rest of their lives. Today, her outbursts are rare, and she has the confidence to calm herself down independently.

Healing even one child is a victory. That’s why we are incredibly proud to report that we also have successfully conducted intensive training for a new group of educators from across Ukraine. We have trained 29 new facilitators. This is a massive milestone because it means that this spring, the "Healing Forest" will launch in 14 additional kindergartens and preschools.

By equipping teachers with this methodology, we aren't just giving them a lesson plan – we are giving them the skills to identify trauma, de-escalate crises, and build a resilient generation. 

Help Us Grow the Forest! 

The "Healing Forest" is growing, and we need your help to keep this up. Please share our story with your friends, family, and network. By spreading the word, you help us reach more communities and ensure that every Ukrainian preschooler has the tools to stay strong, hopeful, and resilient.