During an air raid alert, while children were staying in a shelter, specialists from the Psychological Support Unit of Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs conducted a psychological relief session aimed at reducing anxiety and supporting the emotional well-being of the young participants.
Psychologists Alina Horodnychenko, Hanna Mhlynets, and Vladyslav Bidniak organized an interactive activity that helped the children of university employees shift their attention away from the stressful situation, reduce emotional tension, and feel safer and more comfortable.
The main tools used during the session included board games, soft toys, and construction sets, through which the children completed engaging tasks designed to develop communication skills, attention, teamwork, and emotional self-regulation. The game-based format encouraged natural interaction, allowed participants to express their emotions, and helped distract them from the stress associated with the air raid alert.
The psychologists created an atmosphere of trust and support in which every child felt heard and actively involved in the activities. The sessions incorporated elements of psychological assistance aimed at stabilizing emotional well-being, developing constructive interpersonal skills, and fostering a sense of psychological safety even under stressful conditions.
Such activities are an important component of the psychosocial support system for children during martial law. They help reduce the negative effects of stress, promote emotional resilience, and develop children’s ability to adapt to challenging life circumstances.
At Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs, psychological support for children, young people, and all participants in the educational process remains one of the institution’s key priorities, as timely professional assistance plays a vital role in preserving mental well-being amid the challenges of wartime.
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