At the base of Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs took place a professional psychological event in the format “psychological café”, dedicated to the Day of the Volunteer and the international campaign “16 Days Against Violence”.
The event was aimed at deepening understanding of psychological mechanisms of help and support for victims of violence, as well as strengthening interaction between specialists working in the sphere of security and mental health.
The event was opened by the assistant to the rector of DSUIA on gender issues, Doctor of Legal Sciences, Professor, Honoured Lawyer of Ukraine Larysa Nalyvaiko. Participants of the discussion were the head of the Psychological Support Department Serhii Vyshnevskyi, university psychologists and invited volunteer psychologists who from the first days of the war provide professional help to military personnel, civilians, families of the fallen, traumatized persons and those experiencing acute crisis states.
Thus, guests of the event were the head of the NGO “Antifragility” Olha Kodatska, trainer of the NGO “Power of the Future” Olha Serdiuk, psychologist of the “Vilna” project of the NGO “Culture of Democracy” Liudmyla Vozniuk, trainer and representative of the MBAT programme in Ukraine, founder of the friendly awareness space “awarehouse” Valta.
The role of moderator was performed by DSUIA psychologist Alina Horodnichenko.
The aim of the event was not just discussion of the topic of violence, but also formation of awareness how psychological support is capable of preventing trauma, reducing its consequences and helping a person restore inner resistance. Volunteering in this context was considered as an important resource – social, emotional and value-based.
Participants had the opportunity to exchange experience, highlight typical psychological reactions of people facing violence or crisis, and consider effective support strategies. Special attention was paid to professional resilience of specialists and prevention of burnout, because effective help begins with the inner balance of the helper himself.
The event took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect, collegiality and professional dialogue. DSUIA expresses sincere gratitude to the participants for professionalism, care and significant contribution to the development of psychological safety and resilience of the community.
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